
Qass_. 
Book-- 



/ 



THE 

NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER; ^ 

CONTAINING 

DESCRIPTIONS OF ALL THE STATES, COUNTIES AND TOWNS 

IN 



DESCRIPTIONS OF THE PRINCIPAL, MOUNTAINS, RIVERS, LAKES, 
CAPES, BAYS, HARBORS, ISLANDS, AND 

FASHIONABLE RESORTS 

WITHIN THAT TliRRrrORY. 

ALPHABETICALLY ARRANGED. 



By JOHN HAYWARD, 

Author of the Columbian Traveller, Religious Creeds, <!tc. <Scc. 






^^ 



BOSTON: 

JOHN HAYWARD.— BOYD & WHITE, CONCORD, N. H. 
1 839. 



"A 






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Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1839, by 

JOHN HAY WARD, 

in the Clerk's Office of the District Court in Massachusetts. 



3 ^ S^ 1 

/ 



STEREOTYrED aKD PRINTED BY 

WILLIAM WHITE, 
CONCORD, N.H. 






^ ^. .- 



PREFACE. 



The preparation of a Gazetteer of New England, worthy the 
patronage of its enlightened citizens, is no easy task : those only who 
have attempted it can form a just conception of its difficulties. Long 
and wearisome journeys must be performed ; hundreds of volumes and 
local histories must be consulted, and thousands of letters must be written. 
Although a kind Providence has blessed the editor with health, and 
with numerous friends, in all parts of New England ; yet, after a long 
period of devotedness, he is mortified that his work is not more complete. 
It will be perceived that there are many towns, particularly in the 
eastern section of New England, whose names are merely mentioned ; 
and that notices of others, in many cases, are exceedingly deficient. Had 
our means permitted, fair representations of the character and resources 
of those towns might have promoted individual and public interests ; and 
enhanced the value of our volume. There arc lakes and rivers in the 
northern and eastern parts of New England, whose beauty, volume of 
water, and hydraulic power, might vie with the Winnepisiogee and Mer- 
rimack; but whose locations and even names are but indistinctly known. 
But we have the consolation to believe that a Gazetteer of New Eng- 
land, perfect in all its parts, is rather desired than expected. Our coun- 
try is new : large portions of the territory of the New England States, 
are yet a wilderness, and new counties and towns are very frequently 
constituted. 

The proo-ress of agricultural science, and of the mechanic arts ; the 
advancement of commerce, both at home and abroad, and the increasing 
success of the fisheries, united with the determination of the people ot 
New England to connect the trade of the western oceans with their 
Atlantic borders, by roads of iron, which frosts cannot impede, are so 
great and strong, that the most devoted geographical and statistical writers 
must be satisfied with following at a distance, rather than keeping pace 
with the rapid car of improvement in New England. 
Al 



In the performance of our work we have derived assistance from many 
valuable maps and books on New England. Among the number a re- 
spectful tribute is due, particularly, to Belkjvap's History of New 
Hampshire; Williamson's Maine; Dwight's Letters; Savage's 
Winthrop; Thatcher's Plymouth; Folsom's Saco and Biddeford ; 
Benton and Barrey's Statistics :— Hale's Map of New England; 
Stevens' Rhode Island; Carrigain's New Hampshire ; and Green- 
leaf's Maine: — to Worcester's Gazetteer; Thompson's Vermont; 
Pease and Niles' Rhode Island and Connecticut; Spofford's Mas- 
sachusetts, and Farmer and Moore's Gazetteer of New Hampshire. 

From the latter Work, and from its authors, the lamented John Far- 
mer, Esq., a celebrated antiquarian and writer, and Jacob B. Moore, 
Esq., of Concord, N. H., author of several valuable historical and mis- 
cellaneous works, we are indebted for much of that which is valuable 
in regard to New Hampshire. 

From a beautiful volume, entitled " Connecticut Historical Collec- 
tions," by John Warker Barber, Esq., we have been permitted to 
enrich our pages with some of their most valuable and interesting ar- 
ticles. 

To Heads of Departments at Washington, and to the Secretaries of the 
several States to which the work refers, for valuable public documents ; 
to Postmasters; and to numerous other friends who have kindly assisted 
us in our labors; whose names we should feel proud to mention, were it 
in accordance with their wishes; we tender the acknowledgments of a 
grateful heart. 

For the purpose of enlarging our work, as well as for its correction, 
our editions will be designedly small : contributions are therefore respect^ 
fully solicited. 

While it is our determination to devote our time and humble talents to 
render our publications worthy of general approbation ; we are gratified 
with the assurance of co-operation from eminent men in all parts of the 
country; and we trust with confidence to receive that patronage, which 
Yankees, both at home and abroad, invariably bestow on every effort 
whose obvious design is usefulness. 

Boston, April, 1839. 



THE 



NORTHERN REGISTER. 



It was our intention to have connected this publication with the Gaz" 
ETTKER ; but it was found that by compressing the matter, sufficiently to 
unite them in one volume, both would fail of the object contemplated. 

A great mass of materials for the Register is already received ; indeed, 
a considerable portion is now ready for the press ; but as we have extend- 
ed our plan, some months will elapse before its appearance. 

The work will comprise the rise and progress of all the important lit- 
erary, religious, moral and charitable institutions in New England : — 
an account of the Churches and Ministers in the several towns, from 
their origin, and settlement to the present time : — the rise and extent of 
internal improvements : — statistics of various kinds : lists of Courts, At- 
torneys at law, Physicians, Literary and Religious Journals, Newspa- 
pers, Banks, Postmasters, &c. &c. : to which will be added brief notices 
of distinguished men. In short, the Register is designed to comprise 
all that may be considered important and useful,in a work of this kind, in 
relation to New England, and which is not contained in the Gazetteer. 

The number of eminent mpn, of every profession, who have kindly 
tendered the Editor their co-operation, is so great, that we feel confident 
that the Register will be entitled to a share of public favor. 



in' -^11 letters and papers for the Editor, are requested to be left at 
the Boston Post Office. 



NEW ENGLAND. 



Iif presenting the public with a Gazetteer of New England, it has seemed 
proper to make a few introductory remarks of a general nature, on the 
character of its inhabitants. They may with great propriety be called 
a peculiar people : and perhaps New England and Pennsylvania are the 
only parts of the new world, which have been colonized by a class ol 
men, who can be regarded in that light. The whole of Spanish and Por- 
tuguese America was organized, under the direct patronage of the mother 
countries, into various colonial governments, as nearly resembling those at 
home as the nature of the case admitted. The adventurers who sought 
their fortunes beyond the sea, in those golden tropical regions, carried the 
vices and the virtues with the laws and the manners of their native land, 
along with them, and underwent no farther change than was unavoidably 
incident to the new physical and political condition in which they were 
placed in America. The same remark, with nearly the same force, may 
be made of the Virginia colonists : they differed from Englishmen at 
home in no other way, than a remote and feeble colony must of necessity 
diSer from a powerful metropolitan state. Pennsylvania was settled by 
a peculiar race ; but its peculiarity was of that character which eventu- 
ally exhausts itself; and would speedily perish but for an amalgamation, 
necessary though uncongenial, with the laws, the manners, and institu- 
tions of the world. If all mankind were Friends they might subsist and 
prosper. A colony of Friends, thrown upon a savage shore and environed 
by hostile influences from foreign colonial establishments, would perish, 
if not upheld by forces and principles different from its own. In the set- 
tlers of New England alone we find a peculiar people ;— but at the same 
time a people whose peculiarity was founded on safe practical principles; 
reconcileable with the duties of life ; capable of improvement in the pro- 
gress of civilization, and of expanding into a powerful state, as well as of 
animating a poor and persecuted colony. 



NEW ENGLAND. 

Had not America been discovered and a tract upon our continent reserv- 
ed for English coloniz;ition ;— nay, further, had it not been precisely 
such an uninviting spot as furnished no temptation to men of prosperous 
fortunes, the world would have lost that noble developement of character 
which the fathers of New England exhibit. A tropical climate would 
have made it uninhabitable to Puritans; or rather would have filled it up 
with adventurers of a di/Terent class. A gold mine would have been a curse 
to the latest generation. Had the fields produced cotton and sugar, they 
would not have produced the men whom we venerate as the founders of 
the liberties of New England. 

Puritanism sprang up in England, but there it could not develope itself 
with vigor or consist with happiness. T!ie conflict with the hostile in- 
stitutions of society was too sharp, and adn)ittcd of the culiivation of none 
but the militant or patient elements of character. To struggle with 
temporary success and to bow in permanent subjection was the necessary 
fate of the persecuted sect. So it was wisely ordained. Had Puritan- 
ism permanently mastered the church and the throne in England, it 
would have been corrupted. It would have picked up and worn tlie 
trampled diadem : it would have installed itself in the subjected church. 
Regarding Cromwell and the Rump Parliament as the gift of Puritanism 
to English liberty, it is a bequest at which we know not whether 
most to sigh or smile. The seed sown in England fell by the way side 
and the fowls came and devoured it up. The cause of political and social 
reform, which was conducted with self-denying wisdom and moderation 
in the outset, by single-hearted, honest men, degenerated as it prospered. 
In the moment of its triumph it sunk under the corruptions of selfish- 
ness, as a noble vessel which has braved the tempest in mid-ocean some- 
times goes to pieces on the rocks as it approaches land. 

But the precious seeds of liberty, civil and religious, which were sown 
in New England, fell upon a genial soil, and brought forth worthy and 
abiding fruit. Undertaking the same work which was undertaken by 
their brethren in England, our fathers conducted it through the days of 
small things, through hardships, trial, and disasters, to a triumphant issue. 
It is true there were greater obstacles to be encountered in England, in 
the resistance of established institutions. Deep rooted errors were to be 
torn up; the towers of feudal oppression, which had stood for centuries, 
were to be overthrown. But the influence of these formidable institutions 
was not limited to Old England. The rod of arbitrary power reached 
across the Atlantic. The little colonies had to struggle with the crown 
and the hierarchy, with the privy council and with special commissions, 
with writs and acts of parliament ; and they had besides to struggle with the 



NEW ENGLAND. 



hardships of the wilderness, the dangers of the savage foe, of a sterner 
climate than that of their native hind, the privations of a settler's life, 
the alternating neglect and oppression of the mother country ;— but they 
struggled successfully with all. The reformers of abuses in England, as 
they^claimed to be called, brought a king to the block, scattered a house 
of lords, and saw their great military leader clothed with all the power? 
of state ; and in twelve years the son of that king returned to the throne, 
not merely by an unconditional restoration, but amidst a jubilee of na- 
tional rejoicing and without one security for liberty. All the while the 
fathers of New England held on their even way; not betrayed into 
extravagance when their cause at home (as they fondly called Old Eng- 
land) was triumphant ; nor in despair at the miserable relapse which en- 
sued. They did not indeed live to reap the fruit of their principles and 
their sacrifices ; and it reflects but the greater honor upon them that they 
persevered in their great work fro.m a sense of duty, deep-seated, con- 
trolling, fearless, and not the less so although, while they lived, unre- 
warded by worldly success. 

In fact the founders of New England were actuated by the only prin- 
ciple sufficient to produce this result. It need not be said that this was 
religious principle. How easily it is uttered of our Pilgrim fathers that 
they were actuated by religious principle ; how little in these prosper- 
ous days do we realize all that is wrapped up in that description of their 
character ! It is difficult to comprehend of others what we have not 
experienced in ourselves. That easy frame of mind which prevails among 
a highly favored people, in periods of halcyon prosperity, is scarcely 
capable of being placed in sympathy with the moral heroism, the spir- 
itual courage, the sublime equanimity of a generation truly animated 
by the religious principle, exalted by persecution, and purified by hard- 
ship. Happy if in such a period we can, by diligent contemplation of the 
venerated men of other days, exalt our imaginations, till by conceiving 
we form a desire to imitate their virtues! In proportion as we do this, 
we shall realize the secret of their perseverance and success. They did all 
things through Christ strengthening them. What cannot man do when 
he has learned habitually and distinctly to regard this life as a preparatory 
scene,— a brief hour,— nay a fleeting moment, introductory to an eternal 
being? The fathers of New England were enabled, with their scanty 
means and feeble powers, to establish the foundation of institutions which 
will last to the end of time, for the very reason that they regarded all hu- 
man interests and delights as transitory. That paradox in our moral na- 
tures which educes strength out of weakness, triumph out of self-denial, 
worldly power and success out of a stcru preference of things not of 



NEW ENGLAND. 

this world, received its most illustrious conlirmation in the career of the 
pilgrim fathers of New England. 

This principle of our natures is the key to the great problem of the 
success which attended the forlorn hope of humanity that landed on 
these shores. There is indeed a fanaticism, which violates all the laws 
of our nature, alike the higher ulterior principles which belong to an 
immortal spirit, and the humbler influences which grow from the rela- 
tions of ordinai-y life. It leads to surprising deeds; it forms characters 
which dazzle us with brilliant eccentricities. It is near allied tomad- 
ness ; often runs into it. But the religiousness of the fathers of New 
England was a far different principle. It was eminently ^racftcaZ. It 
allied itself with wise institutions of government; it sought the guidance 
of education ; it encouraged the various pursuits of industry ; it provided 
for the public safety and defence ; and with chaste discrimination admit- 
ted the courtesies of polished life. It is difficult to say what sort of a 
commonwealth George Fox would have founded, had circumstances call- 
ed him to assume the province of the legislator. It is most certain, that 
in setting up an immediate divine inspiration as the guide of every man, 
he maintained a pjinciple at war with the very idea of a politcal system 
and all its institutions ; nor is it less certain that the constitution which 
was actually granted to Pennsylvania, by its pure and noble-spirited pro- 
prietor, possessed little of the peculiarities of his sect but their niild, 
peaceful, and equitable temper. But the fathers of New England stop- 
ped short of the point where solemn conviction passes into enthusiasm. 
They pursued the ordinary occupations of life, planted the field, built 
vessels and navigated the sea, and carried on the usual mechanic arts. 
They made provision for protection against the Indians and the French. 
They organized a plan of civil government; they established by law a 
system of common school education, for the first time in the history of the, 
world, and they founded a college for the avowed purpose of training up 
a class of educated men, we!! qualified to talie the place of the learned 
and pious minister's who had emigrated with the first generation of pil- 
grims. These are the doings of intelligent and practical men, not of en- 
thusiasts or fanatics ; an 1 yet they are the doings of men so resolutely 
bent upon tlie exercise of the right of worshipping God according to the 
dictates of their consciences, that they were willing to sacrifice to it 
home, fortune, and all that tiie mass of men hold dear. 

To say that the fathers of New England were not faultless, is merely 
to say that they were men; to say that they established no institutions, 
the oljject of which was to bind the consciences of their successors is 
praise asjust as it is high. If they adhered with undue tenacity to their 



NEW ENGLAND. 

own opinions, and failed in charity towards those who differed, they at 
least left their posterity free, without the attempt to secure before hand 
the control of minds in other ages by transmitted symbols and tests. Hu- 
manity mourns over the rigors practised towards Roger Williams, the 
Quakers, and the unhappy persons suspected of witchcraft ; but let it 
not be forgotten that, as late as 1719, a witch was executed at Wurzburg, 
and that even in 1760 two women weve thrown into the water in Leices- 
tershire, in England, to ascertain by their sinking or swimming whether 
they were witches. Above all, it may deserve thoughtful enquiry, before 
we condemn the founders of New England, whether a class of men less 
stern in their principles and austere in their tempers, could have accom- 
plished, under all the discouragements that surrounded them, against all 
the obstacles which stood in their way, the great work to which Provi- 
dence called them, — the foundation of a family of republics, confederated 
under a constitution of free representative government. There is every 
reason to believe, great and precious as are the results of their principles, 
hitherto manifested to fhe world, that the quickening power of those 
principles will be more and more displayed, with every leaf that is turned 
in the book of Providence. 

That part of the United States denominated New Ejntgland, compri- 
ses BIX STATES, SIXTY ONE COUNT I ES , and TW EL, VE HUNDRED AND 

EIGHTY TOWNS. Their extent, divisions, and population at several 
periods, are as follows : 



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Me. 
N. H. 
Vt. 
Mass. 
R I. 
Ct. 



32,000 
9 2S0 

10,212 
7,-500 
1,330 
■4.6T4 



165,02' 



341 


95,540 


151,719 


224 


141,835 


133,858 


237 


83,539 


1.4,465 


3.16 


378,787 


4 !?,'^45 


31 


CS,32.5 


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130 


2?,7.946 


231,002 


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1 On;i 52:i 


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228,705 
214,460 
217,S95 

472 041 

7.i,93l 

2fi 1,942 

4" I. '173 



298,336 
2-14,161 
235,764 
.'5,i3,287 
83,059 
275,202 



393,43; 
269, 32;^ 
280,657 
GI0,40S 
97,19;» 
297.675 





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476,054 
288,746 
Slt-jOS-l 
701,331 
108, "6u 
.304.755 



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The population of Maine and Massachusetts, in 1837, is given as by 
a census taken in that year. The population of New Hampshire, Ver- 
mont, Rhode Island and Connecticut, for 1837, is estimated according to 
the ratio of increase, from 1820 to ISoO. 



NEW ENGLAND. 

In 1830, there were in New England 1,112 persons deaf and dumb ; 
798 blind, and 18,668 aliens. The number of colored persons in 1820, 
was 20,782—1830, 21,310. 

New England increased in population, from 1790, to 1800, 22.1 per 
cent: from 1800, to 1810, 19.3 per cent: from 1810, to 1820, 12.7 per 
cent: from 1820, to 1830, 17.7 per cent; and from 1830, to 1S37, 12.4 
cent. When it is considered, that most of the western states were origi- 
nally peopled by New Englanders, and that vast numbers annually emi- 
grate to those states, this increase of population is favorable, compared 
with other Atlantic states. The population of New England in 1700, 
is stated at 120,000 ; in 1755, at 345,000 j and in 1775, at 714,000. 

Boundaries and extent. This territory is bounded north and 
northwest by Lower Canada, about 375 miles, and east by the Province of 
New Brunswick, 275 miles. Its whole eastern, southeastern and southern 
borders are washed by the Atlantic ocean and the waters of Long Island 
Sound, a distance of about 600 miles. It is bounded west by the state 
of New York, 280 miles. Its circumference is about 1,530 miles. 

New England is situated between 41^, and 48° 12' north latiuue, and 
65° 55', and 74° 10' west longitude from Greenwich. Its greatest 
length is between the sources of the Madawaska, Me., and Greenwich, 
Ct., about 575 miles; and its greatest breadth is between Machias, Me., 
and Highgate, Vt., 300 miles. Its narrowest part is between Boston 
and West Stockbridge, Mass., 133 miles. 

Name. During the unsuccessful attempts of Sir Wal-ter Raleigh to 
plant colonies within the territory of North America, from 1584 to 1587, 
the whole country was called Virginia, in honor of Queen Elizabeth, who 
was then on the British throne. In 1606, James I. divided the country 
into two sections, JVorth and South Virginia; hut the French having 
taken possession of the Canadas, and founded Quebec, in 1603, and the 
Dutch having established colonies at New York and Albany, in 1613, 
the intermediate territory, now the New England States, was called 
New England, in compliment to its luxuriance and beauty, and in honor 
to his native land, by the celebrated John Smith, one of the first settlers 
of Virginia, in 1607; and who visited this coast in 1614. 

The New England people are frequently called Yankees We are 
warranted in stating, from the best authority, that of the late learned 
Heckew ELDER, that the Lena Lenape, a tribe of Indians belonging to 
the Six Nations, on the arrival of our fore fathers to these shores, pro- 
nounced the word English, Vengees. The word was thus oi-iginally 
spelt, but in the course of years, in common with thousands of other 
Indian names and phrases, it became corrupted to Yankee. The first 



NEW ENGLAND. 

settlers of New England were English, or Englishmen, from Old Eng- 
land ; and however the term Yankee, or English, may be applied to 
New Englanders — the descendants of the Puritans consider the terra 
honorable to themselves, and reproachful only to those who misap- 
ply it. 

Surface, Soil and Productions. New England is distinguish- 
ed for its varied surface. Mountains in immense ranges, bold spurs, 
and solitary eminences ; beautiful swells, extended vallej's, and alluvial 
intervales meet the eye in every direction. Large rivers, unrivalled for 
their rapid courses and hydraulic power; brooks, rivulets, expansive 
lakes, countless ponds; and a sea coast of more than six hundred miles, 
decorated with delightful bays, harbors, and romantic islands, form and 
beautify the outline of a picture of New England. 

The soil of New England is as varied as its surface. Loam, clay, and 
sand exist in all their varieties and mixtures. The soil most gener- 
ally diffused through this country, is a light brown loam, mixed with 
gravel ; fitted, in different degrees of moisture and dryness, for every 
production common to the climate; and capable, with proper culture, 
of the highest fertility. 

The agricultural productions of this country are exceedingly numer- 
ous and valuable. The staple articles, and such as are cultivated in all 
their varieties, are grass, Indian corn, wheat, rye, barley, oats, beans, 
peas, flax, hemp, broom corn, millet, potatoes, onions, beets, carrots, 
turnips, squashes, melons, &.c. 

The fruits of New England, both wild and cultivated, are also nu- 
merous and abundant. Apples, pears, peaches, plums, cherries, quin- 
ces, grapes, in all their varieties; walnuts, chesnuts, Madeira nuts, 
butternuts; strawberries, whortleberries, blackberries, mulberries, rasp- 
berries, &c. This is but the commencement of a list of the fruits, plen- 
tiful in New England, and remarkable for their richness and flavor. 

The forests of New England exhibit a noble variety of trees, not only 
delightful to the eye, but valuable for all the uses of man. The number 
of these is so great that a catalogue of them would cover pages. — 
Among the most valuable are the varieties of the pine, cedar, oak, wal- 
nut, spruce, maple, beech, birch, ash ; the hemlock, hacmatack, elm, 
fir, &c. 

The botanical resources of New England are not inferior to any other 
section of our country. Among the most beautiful native flowering 
shrubs are the laurel, rose, honeysuckle, and woodbine. 

Mineralogy. New England unquestionably possesses a vast and 



NEW ENGLAND. 

rich variety of minerals ; but until recently its people have been too busy 
in ploughing the ocean, or digging on its surface, to search for treasures 
within the bosom of its hills and valleys. A spiritof exploration how- 
ever, has arisen, which promises the most favorable results. Learned 
and indefatigable men are in the field, and the wisdom of our legislatures 
will keep them there. 

Granite or sienite, in all its varieties, are common in all the states: 
marble of various hues, varying in quality, most of which, bearing a fine 
polish, is abundant; coal is found in various places, and strongly sus- 
pected to exist in others. Peat is abundant on Cape Cod, where there 
is no wood ; and it is found in meadows surrounded by forests. Copper 
exists in various parts of New England; and iron ore, of a pure quality, 
is abundant in various sections of the country. Gold and silver are said 
to exist, but we hope cot. Fine clay, sandstone, manganese ; slatestone, 
for roofing buildings ; and various other articles for necessary use are 
abundant. Garnets, cobalt, rock crystals, and other minerals have 
been discovered in various parts of New England, and which are men- 
tioned under their localities within the volume. 

Climate. The climate of New England is exceedingly various: 
the temperature ranges from 15° below the zero of Fahrenheit to 95° 
above. The mercury has been known to descend from 20° to 30° below, 
and to 102° above ; but such cases rarely occur. 

European philosophers have imagined that the coldness of this part of 
America was caused by our northwest winds, proceeding, as they have 
thought, from the great lakes, which are situated in the interior of North 
America : but since it has been discovered that the great lakes lie west- 
ward of the true N. W. point, that opinion has been exploded. 

A second cause to which the coldness of these winds has been attribu- 
ted, is a chain of high moiuitainf running from southwest to northeast, 
in Canada and New Britain, at a great distance beyond the St. Lawrence. 
A third opinion is that of the venerated Dr. Holyoke, of Salem, who 
supposed that the numerous evergreens in this country are the source 
of the peculiar cold which it experiences. A fourth opinion is, that the 
coldness of these winds proceeds from the forested state of the country. 
Dr. Dvvight entertained an opinion different from all those we have men- 
tioned, viz : that the winds which generate the peculiar cold of this 
country descend, in most cases, from the superior regions of the atmos- 
phere. The N. W. wind rarely brings snow, but when it does, the de- 
gree of cold is increased. The deepest snows fall with a N. E. wind, and 
storms from that quarter are most violent and of longest duration. On 
the mountains, the snow falls earlier and remains later than in the low 



NEW ENGLAND. 

grounds. On those elevated summits, the winds have greater force in 
driving the snow into the long and deep gullies of the mountains, where 
it is so consolidated, as not to be dissolved by the vernal sun. Spots of 
snow are seen on the south sides of mountains as late as May, and on 
the highest till July. A southeast storm is often as violent, but com- 
monly shorter, than one from the northeast. If it begin with snow, 
it soon changes to rain. A brisk wind from the W. or S. W. with snow 
or rain, sometimes happens, but its duration is very short. Squalls of 
this kind are common in March. 

One of the greatest inconveniences suffered by the inhabitants of our 
country, is derived from the frequent changes in the state of the atmos- 
phere The temperature has been known to change 44° in twenty four 
hours. Changes are frequent, though seldom in the same degree. 
Changes from wet to dry, and from dry to wet, are at times unpleasant, 
and probably unhealthy. There is no month in the year which is not 
sometimes very pleasant, and sometimes disagreeable. In a series of 
years, our most pleasant months are June, September and October. 
Often the first two, and not unfrequently the first three weeks in Sep- 
tember are. however, very warm. From the 20th of September to the 
20th of October, the weather is delightful. The temperature is mild, 
the air is sweet, and the sky singularly bright and beautiful. This is 
the period denominated the Indian Summer. Some persons think June 
to be a more pleasant month than either September or October. In June, 
there are usually a few days of intense heat. In all other respects, 
except the brilliancy and beauty of the heavens, this month must be 
confessed to have the superiority over all others. The progress of vege- 
tation is wonderful ; and it seems as if the creative hand was, in a 
literal sense, renewing its original plastic efforts, to adorn the world with 
richness and splendor. All things are alive and gay. " The little hills 
rejoice on every side. The pastures are clothed with flocks. The 
valleys are also covered with corn, and shout for joy." Health at the 
same time prevails in a peculiar degree. The Spring is often chilled by 
easterly winds and rendered uncomforiable by rains. The Winter months, 
when the earth is clad with its mantle of snow, is the season for relaxa- 
lion and pleasure. 

The number of fair days in a year compared with the cloudy, is as 
three to one. We have had but few meteorological journals kept. For 
several years past they have become more frequent, and it is hoped, that 
from the increasing attention to the subject, comparative results of the 
weather will become more numerous and exact. 

Navigation and Commerce. The people of New England, 
from the first settlement of the country to the present time, have been 
1* 



NEW ENGLAND. 

celebrated for their fine ships, nautical prowess, and commercial spirit. 
Their extended Atlantic sea coast, and their noble forests of ship timber, 
give them as great, if not greater facilities for these enterprises, than 
can be found in this or any other country. 

The number of vessels built in the United States in 1833, was 1,188; 
tonnage, 161,626 tons; of which there were built in New England 590: 
tonnage, 95,146. The number of seamen employed in navigation in 
the United States, was 67,744, of which 37,142 belonged to New 
England. 

In consequence of the absence of both natural and artilicial channels 
to the fertile countries on the borders of the great lakes, and west of the 
Alleghany mountains, the exports and imports of New England, compar- 
ed with the whole of the United States, appears small ; but it must be 
borne in mind that a large proportion of the ships and seamen employed 
in this commerce belong to New England, and that a vast amount of the 
exports from other states consist of the products of the manufacturing 
industry and fishery of that section of the country. 

The value of the imports of New England, during the year ending 
30 September, 1837, was $22,052,414. Exports, $11,878,324. The 
total value of the imports of the United States, in that period, was 
$140,989,217; of exports, $117,419,376. 

During that period the American tonnage of New England, entered, 
compared with that of the United States, was as follows : New England, 
1,944 vessels, 393,877 tons: United States, 6,024 vessels, 1,299,720 tons. 
During that time there were 949 vessels built in the United States ; 
tonnage, 122,987 tons ; of which 389 were built in New England, meas- 
uring 51,983 tons. 

Fishery. This important branch of industry, and one of the great- 
est sources of wealth to the American people, has, from time immemo- 
rial, been almost exclusively carried on by New England vessels, men, 
and capital. 

In 1837, there were 508 vessels in the United States engaged in the 
whale fishery ; the total tonnage was 127,239 tons ; of which number 
459 belonged to the New England states ; measuring 115,194 tons. The 
same year there were 127,678 tons employed in the cod and mackerel 
fishery ; 126,963 tons of which were owned in New England. 

Manufactures. From the first settlement of the country, to the 
general peace in Europe in 1815, New England was emphatically a com- 
mercial country. During the long wars in Europe, when the flag of 
the U. S. was the only passport among the belligerent nations, New 
England ships became the carriers of almost the whole of the eastern 



NEW ENGLAND. 

continent. The change from war to peace, in Europe, sliook New Eng- 
land to its centre. It however stood firm. During a pause, in which 
conflicting interests in regard to the tariff on imports were settled, the 
resources of the country were examined, and it was found that a large por- 
tion of the capital which had been accustomed to float on every gale ; and 
subjected to the caprice of every nation, might profitably be employed at 
home, in supplying our own necessities, and placing our independence on 
a more sure foundation. A manufacturing spirit arose in New England, 
whose power can only be excelled by the magnitude and grandeur of in- 
numerable streams on which it is seen to move. 

Our statistics on this highly important subject are exceedingly imper- 
fect : those only of Massachusetts are attempted to be given. When we 
find that every state in New England are making rapid advances in this 
branch of our national wealth, particularly Rhode Island and Connecti- 
cut ; and that the amount of manufactures in Massachusetts, in a single 
year, was $86, 282, 616, we may safely indulge the pleasing hope that 
the period is not distant when our exports will exceed our imports, and 
that our work shops will no longer remain in Europe. 



.^ 



ITEMS. 



There are several items in this volume which do not strictly pertain 
to the general character of the work. Some of them arc here noted. 
Routes to the White Mountains. - See Uldte Mountains 

Distances on Long Island Sound and Hudson river, Long I. Sound. 

Saratoga and Ballston Springs, - - W''"'^ Mountams. 

Lake George, N. Y., - - * 

Whitehall, N. Y., - - " " ' xr ■ 

The North Eastern Boundary Question briefly stated, Maine 



Confidence in God, 
Troy, N. Y., 

New Lebanon Springs, N. Y., 
Firmness of mind, 
Catskill Mountains, N.Y., 
A venerable minister, 
Curious Courtship, 
Bay of Fundy, 
St. John's, N. B., 
A Cono-regation made Prisoners, 
Brave Women, Dustan's Island, Gorham, Me., and Dorchester, Mass. 
, , , . . Dalton, J\\ H. 

A good snot, - " J /-. 

GofTe and Whalley, - Hadley, Mass., and Woodbridge, Ct 



Sharon, Ct. 

Long Island Sound. 

Hancock, Mass. 

Stamford, Ct. 

Long Island Sotind. 

Hartford, Ct. 

Lyme, Ct. 

Fuudy, Bay. 

Darien, Ct. 



Peddling, 

The" Old Black Bull," 

Prices of sundry articles in 1750, 

Faithful Missionaries, 

Burning of Fairfield, 

Mount Auburn Cemetery, 

Transplanting fish, 

Obookiah, - - - 

Large Apple Tree, 

Thermometrical observations, 

Fortunate Stageman, 

Tribute to female character, 

Large Pines, 

Generals Allen and Stark, 

General Putnam and the Wolf, 



Alexanders'' Lake, and Berlin, Ct. 

Colchester, Ct. 

Gorham, Me. 

Roxbury, Mass., and Huddam, Ct. 

Fairfield, Ct. 

Cambridge, Mass. 

Fairlee and Whiting, Vt. 

Cornwall, Ct. 

Duxbury, Mass. 

Epping, A''. H. 

Belchertown, Mass. 

Ledyard, Ct. 

Liberty and JN'orridgewock, Me. 

Litchfield, Ct., and Manchester, J\^. H. 

Pomfret, Ct. 



Tornadoes, Warner and J\''ew London, JS'. H., and Winchendon, Mass. 



ITEMS. 



Meteoric Stones, 
Story of the Frogs, 
Smart Old Men, 
A modest office seeker. 



See Weston, Ct. 

Windham, Ct. 

JJIiitingham Vt., and Shutesbury, Mass. 

Stratford, JV. H. 



Land Title settled by combat, ... Lyme, Ct. 

The " Devils Den," a good ice house, - Sterling, Ct. 

Large Trout, - - - - Strong, Me. 

Floating Islands, - .Atkinson, A'. H., Oiad IVliitingham, Vt. 

Singular motive for marriage, - - Wethersfield, Ct. 

"Lovewell's Fight," ... Fryehurgh, Me. 

Curious Epitaphs, - - - Dorchester, Mass. 

Poised Rock, ... Farmington, JV. H. 



A Turtle well marked, 

Mohegan Village, 

A relic of olden times, 

The Newr Hampshire Giant, 

" Purgatory Cavern," 

Ice Beds, 

" Satan's Kingdom," 

Names of Towns, 

A " South Shore" White oak, 

Tak, a slave, the captor of a British General, 

Horrible butchery of a family, 

Penobscot Indians, ... 

"The Pool," 

First mail stage in the United States, 

Indian Mound, . . . . 

George III. and John Adams, 

The Hermitess, ... 

Tough words for stammerers. 

Mineral Springs, 

Avalanches, 

Autumnal Foliage, 

A worthy maiden Lady, 

A Connecticut river law suit, 

The Drum Rock, 

An atrocious murder. 



MiddleboroHgh, Mass. 

Montville, Ct. 

Ashford, Ct. 

JVew Market, JV. H. 

Sutton, Mass. 

Wallingford, Vt. 

JVew Hartford, Ct. 

JVorth Bridgeicuter, Mass. 

Plympton, Mass. 

Tiverton, R. I. 

Wethersfield, Ct. 

Orono, Me. 

Oxford, Ct. 

Shrewsbury, Mass. 

Ossipee, JV. H. 

Quincy, Mass. 

Ridgefield, Ct. 

Roxbury, and Webster, Mass. 

Stafford, Ct., and Hopkinton, Mass. 

I'Vliite Mountains. 



Taunton, Mass. 
Wethersfield, Ct. 

Warwick, R. I. 
Washington, Ct. 

Wenham, Mass. 



A New England Clergyman of 1686, 
Ancient Epitaphs, Plymouth, Mass., and Windsor, Ct. 

A runaway pond, .... Glover, Vt. 

Lake scenery, " ^ _. " Winnepisiogee Lake^ 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



Abbot, Me. 

Piscataquis co. This town lies 
76 miles N. by E. from Augusta, 
130 N. by E. from Portland, and 
about 40 N. N. E. from Norridse- 
wock. It is bounded N. by Mon- 
son, E. by Guilfoi'd and S. by Park- 
man. The Pisoataquis river passes 
nearly through its centre. It was 
incorporated in 1827. Population, 
1S37, 649. 

Abiugtou, Z^Iass. 

Plymouth co. This town is on 
the high land between Massachu- 
setts and Narraganset bays. Three 
rivers rise here, two of which emp- 
ty into the Taunton, the other into 
the North. It lies 19 miles S. S. E. 
from Boston, 22 N. \V. from Plj^m- 
outh, 18 N N. E. from Taunton, 
and 8 S. of Weymouth landing. 
This town is noted for its manufac- 
tures of boots, shoes, and tacks. The 
total value of its manufactures, in 
one year, was i«{!8l7,294, of which 
the amount of !«;82,()()0 was for tacks, 
and $746,794 lor boots and shocf::. 
There were 847 males and 470 fe- 
males employed in the manufacture 
of the latter. Population, 1837, 
3,0.57. This town was incorporated 
in 1712. Its Indian name was Mati- 
amooskeagin. 

Acoakset Rivt-r, 

Rises on the border of the town 
of Fall River, and meets an arm of 
Buzzard's bay, at Westport, 12 miles 
S. W. ol New Bedford, Mass. 



Acton, Me. 

An interior town, in the county 
of York, recently taken from Shap- 
leigh. It lies near the headwaters 
of Salmon river, by which it is di- 
vided, on the W., from New-Hamp- 
shire. It is 107 miles S. W. from 
Augusta, and 15 W. from Alfred. 
Population, 1837, 1409. 

Actoii, Vt. 

Windham co. This town was 
first settled in 1781, and in 1782 
it was incorporated. It has some 
fine brooks, but no important mill 
streams. It lies about 15 miles N. 
of Newfane, and about 90 S. of 
Montpelier. Population 1830, 176. 

Acton, Mass. 

Middlesex co. This is a pleas- 
ant farming town of good soil. The 
Assabet river passes through it. It 
is 5 miles N. W. by TV. of Concord, 
and 21 N. W. of Boston. Incorpo- 
rated 1735. Population 1837, 1071. 

Acwoi-th, N. H. 

Sullivan co. This town is chiefiy 
agricultural in its pursuits. The 
soil is generally gooil. Cold river, 
which rises from Cold pond in this 
town, atlbrds some good mill seats. 
This town was formerly noted for 
the culture of Hax, which was man- 
ufactured by some of the inhabitants 
into the finest linen, equal to any 
imported from Ireland. The town 
was settled in 1768, and incorporat- 
i ed in 1771. Population 1830, 1401. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



It lies 13 miles S. of Newport, and 
44 VV. of Concord. 

Adams, Mass. 

Berkshire co. This is a flourish- 
ing agricultural and manufacturing 
township, comprising two village^, 
north and south, who>e trade goes 
to New York. It is 40 miles E. of 
Troy, N. Y., 120 W. N. W. of Bos- 
ton, 29 N. of Lenox, and 7 miles S. 
E. of WillianistowJi college. The 
Hoosack river passes through this 
town, and affords a great wa!er 
power. There are in this town 19 
cotton mills, 4 satinet factories, and 
2 calico printing establishments. 
There are also in this town large 
machine shops, 4 taneries, 3 air and 
cupola furnaces, and manufactories 
of shovels, spades, hoes, forks, 
chairs and cabinet ware. The total 
value of the manufactures of this 
place in the year ending April 1, 
1S37, amounted to !| 1, 045,417. 

Between the years 1743 and 1736, 
this town was the scene of much 
Indian warfare. Traces of old 
Fort Massachusetts are still found. 
Saddle M:ninfain, the summit of 
which is called Gray lock,the high- 
est of Massachusetts mountains, lies 
chiefly in this town, and, although 
it is 3,600 feet above the level of 
the sea, is of easy ascent. A view 
from Gray lock probably gives " an 
idea of vastness and even of im- 
jnensity" better than any other 
landscape in New England, Mt. 
Washington, in N. H. excepted. 
The natural bridge on Hudson's 
Brook, in this town, is a curiosity 
worthy the notice of travellers. 
The waters of this lirook have worn 
a fissure from 30 to GO feet deep and 
30 rods in Ienn;th, (hiough a body 
of white marble, or limestone, and 
formed a bridge of that material, 50 
t''et above the surface of the Abater. 
There is a cavern in this town, 30 
feet long, 20 high, and 20 wide. 
Incorporated 177S. Population 1820 
l.S3«~1830, 2,(i4S— rjl^4, 3,000-^- 
aud in 1837, 4,191 



Addisou, Me. 

Washington co. This town was 
incoiporated in 1797. Population, 
1S37, 901. It lies 14 miles W. by 
S. from Machias, and 135 E.by N. 
from Augusta. Addison lies be- 
tween Pleasant and Indian rivers, 
and near the south entrance into 
liispecky reach, ^^ddison Point, 
or Cape Split, jutting out into the 
sea, off whicii are several small 
islands, is the piincipal harbor and 
place of trade. 

Adtlisoii CoKiity, Vt., 

Middlehury is the chief town. 
This county is bounded on the N. 
by Chittenden county; E. by W ash- 
ington and Orange counties, and a 
part of Windsor county; S. by 
Rutland county, and W. by Lake 
Champlain. It was incorporated in 
1787, and contains about 7()0 square 
miles. Large quantities of white 
and beautifully variegated marble, 
which receives a fine polish, is 
found in this county, and large 
quantities of it are quarried and 
transported to various markets. — 
This county is a(hniiably well wat- 
ered by Otter Creek, which rise? 
near its southern boundary, and ex- 
tends nearly through its centre: — 
by IMad and White rivers ; and by 
Lake Champlain, which affords it 
many navigable privileges. The 
soil is good, particuhuly in those 
towns helow the m-ountains, and 
bordering the lake and livers. This 
county contains 22 towns. Popu- 
lation, 1820, 20,4(59—1830, 24,940. 
Inhabitants to a square mile, 35. 

Addisou, Vt, 

Addison co. Tliis is supposed to 
be the first place settled by the 
whites, in this state, west of the 
mountain^'. The town is pleasantly 
located on the east side of lake 
Champlain, and nearly opposite to 
Crov.n Point, in the state of New- 
Vork. At this place the lake is 
about 3 nules broad. The French, 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



it is saiJ, commenced a settlement 
here in 1731 ; the same year that 
they erected a fort at Crown Point. 
The Englisli came lierc about 1770. 
Otter Creek passes into the town, 
but aflbrds no important mill sites. 
The surl'ace of the town is low and 
level. Mill and Pike rivers, are 
small streams, which fall into the 
lake opposite to Crown Point. This 
town lies about 12 miles W. N. W. 
from ]\Iiddlebury, and 40 W. S. W. 
from Montpelier. Population 1830, 
1,306. 

Againcnticiis Mountain, 

So called, beino; three elevations 
of land in York, Me., about 4 mile-: 
from the sea, and a noted land mark 
for those on the coast to the north- 
ward and eastward of Portsmovith 
harbor. The highest summit is 673 
feet above the ocean. It is said 
that Saint At^piuquid died on this 
mountain, in 1682, and that his 
funeral was celebrated by the In- 
dians, by the sacrifice of 6711 wild 
animals. 

Aga'^vani, Mass. 

The Indian name of a river in 
Wareham, and of a part of Westfield 
river; and the name of a village on 
Westfield river, 2 miles S. W. from 
Spiinglield. 

Albany, Me, 

Oxford CO. This town was incor- 
porated in 1803. It lies about 17 
miles W. by N. fiom Paris, and 58 
W. froni Atigusla. It is the source 
of Crooked river, which empties in- 
to Sobago Lake. Population, 1837, 
598. 

Albany, N. H., 

Strafford cc, lies 60 miles N. by 
F. from Concord, and 67 N. N. W. 
from Dover. The principal river 
in Albany, is Swift river, which 
p;i.sses from W. to E. into the Saco, 
at Conway. There are several 
Muall streams in different parts of 
the town, furnishing convenient 



mill privileges. Tliese streams 
were once the residence of num- 
bers of the beaver, otter, &c. — 
There are several lofty hills and 
mountains in this town, the highest 
of which is called Chocorua, and is 
visible from a gieat extent of coun- 
try. It received its name from 
Chocorua, an Indian, who was kil- 
led on the summit by a party of 
hunters in time of peace, before 
the settlement of the place. The 
predominant rock of these hills is 
granite — a soft, decomposing varie- 
ty, in which the crystals and grains 
of feldspar are very large. The soil 
is fertile, being a sandy loam, mix- 
ed occasionally with coarse gravel. 
There are some fertile intervale 
lands on the borders of Swift river. 
This town has been considerably 
retarded by a peculiar disease which 
afllicts neat cattle. Young cattle 
cannot be reared, nor can cows or 
oxen be kept here for a series of 
years, without being attacked by a 
singular and fatal distemper. It 
coijimences with a loss of appetite 
— the animals refuse hay, grain and 
salt — become emaciated ; an obstin- 
ate costiveness attends, but the ab- 
domen becomes smaller than in 
health, and is diminished to one third 
its orit;inal Inilk. After these symp- 
toms have continued for an indefi- 
nite period, a brisk scouring comes 
on, and the animals fall away and 
die. Though superstition may have 
found a reason in the dying curse 
of the murdered Chocorua, philoso- 
phy has not yet ascertained a satis- 
factory cause for the disease. It is 
probably owing to the properties 
contained in the waters. This town 
was granted Nov. 6, 1766, to Clem- 
ent March, Joseph Senter and oth- 
ers, and until the 2d July, 1833, it 
bore the name of Burton. Popula- 
tion in 1830, 325. 

Albany, Vt. 

Orleans co. This town was grant- 
ed in the year 1781, by the name 
of Luttcrlcli ; in 1815 it was chang- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



ed toils present name. It is water- 
ed by a number of ponds, and by 
Black river and its branches. Al- 
bany lies .31 miles N. from Mont- 
pelier, and 9 S. of Irasburgh. Pop- 
ulation, 1830, 6S3. 

Albion, Me. 

Kennebec co. This fine farming 
town lies on the stage road from 
Augusta to Bangor; 24 miles N. 
E. from the former, and 44 S. W. 
from the latter. Population, 1S37, 
1609. This town produced 10,728 
bushels of wheat, in 1837. 

Albwrgli, Vt. 

Grand Isle co. Settlements com- 
menced here by emigrants from 
Canada, in 17S2. This town lies at 
tlie N. W. corner of the state and 
of New England ; 10 miles N. from 
North Hero, and 79 miles N. W. 
from Montpelier. It is bounded by 
the waters of Lake Clianiplain, ex- 
cept on the north, where it meets 
the Canada line, in north latitude 
45°. The soil is good and finely 
timbered. It has a mineral spring, 
of some repute in scrofulous cases. 
Population, 1839, 1,239. 

Alexander, Me. 

Washington co. About 25 miles 
N. by W. from Machias, and S. of 
Baileyville, and Baring, w"hich bor- 
der on the river St. Croix. In this 
town are some ponds, which, with 
the large pond in Baring and Alex- 
ander, produce a large stream which 
empties into Cobscook bay. Popu- 
lation, 1837, 457. 

Alexander's Iialie. 

This beautiful sheet of water, of 
about a mile in length and half a 
mile in breadth, lies in the town of 
Killingly, Ct., and was formerly 
known to the Indians by the name 
of .Mnshapaug. Its present name 
is derived from Nell Alexander, a 
man who settled at Killinglj- in 
1720, and became proprietor of a 
large portion of the town. As this 



person gained his wealth in a man- 
ner which illustrates the antiquity 
of the propensity of the inhabitants 
of this state to the once honored, 
yet now despised employment of 
peddling, we will give the reader 
a short notice of his history. He 
came from Scotland, with a great 
number of other emiarants, in a 
ship which was to land them at 
Boston. Just before leaving the 
ship he discovered a gold ring up- 
on deck, for which he could find no 
owner. Thus fortunately provided, 
after his arrival he pawned the gold 
ring for small articles of trade, 
which he peddled in Boston and 
Roxbury. He was very prosper- 
ous, and finally became able to re- 
deem the author of his success, and 
pursue his business without embar- 
rassment. After a few years of 
constant activity, he acquired suffi- 
cient property to purchase a planta- 
tion of 3,500 acres in Killingly. 
The gold ring was transmitted as a 
sort of talisman, to his only son 
JVell, who transferred it to his only 
son J\''cll ,• who is now living at an 
advanced age, and has already pla- 
ced it in the hands of his grandson 
JVell ; and so it will doubtless con- 
tinue from JVcll to A''eU, agreeably 
to the request of the first JVell, 
until the " last knell of the race is 
tolled!" 

A singular tradition has been 
handed down to us bj^ the abori- 
gines concerning the origin of this 
lake. 

In ancient times, when the red 
men of this quarter had long enjoy- 
ed prosperity, that is, when they 
had found plenty of game in the 
woods, and fish in the ponds and riv- 
ers, they at length fixed a time for 
a general powwow, a sort of festival 
for eating, drinking, smoking, sing- 
ing and dancing. The spot chosen 
for tliis purpose was a sandy hill, or 
mountain, covered with tall pines, 
occupying the situation where the 
lake now lies. The powwow lasted 
four days in succession, and was to 



NEW EiXGLAND GAZETTEER. 



continue longer had not the Great 
Spirit, enraged at the licentiousness 
which prevailed there, resolved to 
punish them. Accordingly, wliile 
the red people in immense numbers 
were capering about upon the sum- 
mit of the mountain, it suddenly 
" gave way" beneath them, and 
sunk to a great depth, when the 
water from below rushed up and 
covered them all except one good 
old squaw, who occupied one of 
the peaks, which now bears the 
name of Loon's Island. 

Mr. Barber in his admirable work 
entitled " Connecticut Historical 
Collections " from which this ac- 
count is taken, observes, " whether 
the tradition is entitled to credit or 
not, we will do it justice by alfirm- 
ing tliat in a clear day, when there 
is no wind and the surface of the 
lake is smooth, the huge trunks and 
leafless branches of gigantic pines 
may be occasionally seen in the 
deepest part of the water, some of 
them reaching almost to the surface, 
in such huge and fantastic forms as 
to cause the beholder to startle!" 

Alexandria, Xt H. 

Grafton co. A small part of New- 
found lake lies in this town. Al- 
exandria is 30 miles N. W. from 
Concord, and 40 S. £. from Haver- 
hill. Population, 1830, 1,083. In- 
corporated, 1782. On Fowler's and 
Smith's rivers and several other 
smaller streams are about 2000 acres 
of intervale land, which produce 
flax, potatoes and grass in abund- 
ance. Other parts of the town are 
favorable for wheat and maize. — 
This town was lirst settled by Jon- 
athan, John M. and William Cor- 
liss, in 1769. 

Alfred, 3Ic. 

One of the shire towns of York 
county. It lies 24 miles N. from 
York, 35 S. from Portland and 86 
S. W. from Augusta. Incorpora- 
ted, 1808. Population, 1837, 1,360. 
This is a good farming town and is 



well watered by the higher sources 
of Mousuni river, which meets the 
sea at Kennebunk. In this town 
is a society of those neat and indus- 
trious horticulturists and artizans, 
denominated " Shakers." 

Alford, Mass. 

Berkshire co. On the line of the 
state of New York, and watered 
by branches of Green river. Some 
manufactories of leather and shoes. 
125 miles W. from Boston, 14 S. by 
W. from Lenox, and 24 E. of Hud- 
son, N. Y. Population, 1837, 441. 
Incorporated, 1773. 

Allcnsto-vm, N. H. 

Merrimack co. On the Suncook 
river, 11 miles S. E. from Concord, 
and 3S W. fiom Portsmouth. The 
land generally is of an ordinary 
quality, though there are some line 
farms. The town is principally 
covered with a growth of oak and 
pine timber; and great quantities of 
lumber are annually taken down 
the liver. Allenstown is well wa- 
tered, though no large stream pass- 
es through it. Great Bear brook 
furnishes the principal mill seats. 
Catamount hill is the highest land 
in town. At the E. end of this hill 
is a ])rccipice of 70 feet nearly per- 
pendicular, at the foot of which is a 
cavern of some extent, inclining up- 
wards. The first settlers were Rob't 
Buntin and others. In 1748, while 
at work on the western bank of the 
Merrimack river, opposite the mouth 
of the Suncook, in comi)any with 
James Carr, Mr. Buntin and his son, 
ten years of age, were surprised by 
a party of Indians. Cair attempted 
to escape, and was shot down. Bun- 
tin and his son, making no resist- 
ance, were not harmed ; but taken 
through the wilderness to Canada, 
and sold to a French ti'ader at Mont- 
real ; with whom they remained 
abotit eleven months, escaped, and 
fortunately reached home in safety. 
Andrew, the son, continued on hi.s 
father's farm until the commence- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



ment of the revolution, when, en- 
tering the service of his country, 
he died in her defence at White 
Plains, Oct. 28, 177(). Incorporated 
July 2, 1831. Population, 1S30, 421. 

Aliia, Me. 

This town is situated in the coun- 
ty of Lincoln, 10 miles N. from 
Wiscasset, 51 N. E. from Portland, 
and 20 S. S. E. fioni Ausiusta. In- 
corporated 1794. Population, 1837, 
1,138. This is a pleasant town and 
well watered by Sheepscot river. 

Alstead, ]V. H., 

Cheshire co., is 12 miles S. E. 
from Charlestown,14 N.from Keene 
and 50 W. by S. from Concord. 
This town is well watered by small 
streams. Cold river passes through 
the N. W. part; and some of the 
branches of Ashuelot river have 
their sources in this town. Tliere 
are a number of ponds, the princi- 
pal of which is Warren's pond ; — 
length, 230 rods, breadth, 150. 
Perch and pickerel are here caught 
in great abundance. The soil is 
strong and productive, and the farms 
generally well cultivated. Manu- 
factures flourish in this town, and 
great attention is paid to e<lucation. 
Alstead was originally called New- 
ton, and was granted by charter, 
August 6, 1763, to Samuel Chase 
and 69 others. General Amos Shep- 
ard, who was for many years a 
member of the General Court of 
this state, and President of the Sen- 
ate from 1797 to 1S04, resided in 
this town, and was one of its prin- 
cipal inhabitants from 1777 to the 
time of his death, Jan. 1, 1S12. By 
his persevering industry, his econ- 
omy and correctness in business, 
and at the same time, by a rigid ad- 
herence to uprightness and integri- 
ty in his dealings with his fellow 
men, he acquired a handsome for- 
tune, and was in many things, a 
pattern worthy of iiiiitaiion. Pop- 
ulation in 1830, 1,552. This town 
has 6000 sheep. 



Altou, N. H. 

Strafford co. This town lies 22 
miles N. E. from Concord, and 25 
N. W. from Dover, and is bounded 
N. by Winnepisiogee lake and bay. 
The town is rough and uneven ; the 
soil hard and rocky, but productive 
when well cultivated. The growth 
of wood is chiefly oak, beech, maple 
and pine. The j)rincipal elevations 
are Mount-Major and Prospect Hill. 
Merrymeeting bay extends S. about 
1800 rods into tliis town, where it 
receives the waters of Merrymeet- 
ing river. Half-moon pond, be- 
tween Alton and Barnstoad, is 300 
rods long and 150 wide. This town 
was originally called A''etv Dur- 
ham Gore, and was settled in 1770, 
by Jacob Chamberlain and others. 
It was incorporated Jan. 15, 1796. 
Population in 1830, 1,993. This 
town has 2000 sheep. 

Aiiiesbiirj-, Mass. 

This town is situated on the N. 
side of Merrimack river, in the 
county of Essex, 40 miles N. E. 
from Boston, 6 N. W. from New- 
buryport, and 7 N. E. from Haver- 
hill. Population, 1837, 2,567. It 
was taken from Salisbury in 1668, 
and is separated from it by Powow 
river, a navigable stream for vessels 
of 300 tons. A pond, covering 
about 1000 acres, back of the town, 
90 feet above the sea, serves as a 
reservoir for a constant and exten- 
sive water power. The manufac- 
ture of flannel and satinet is very 
extensively pursued. The amount 
of those articles manufactured in 
the year ending April 1, 1837, was 
$425,000. Many vessels are built 
here of superior timber, and the 
manufacture of boots, shoes, leath- 
er, chairs, phaetons, gigs, and car- 
ryalls is very considerable. The 
total amount of the various manu- 
factures of this place is about $500,- 
000 annually. About half the pop- 
ulation of the town is engaged in 
mechanical labor. Josiah Bartlett, 
M. D. one of the signers of tha 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



declaration of independence was 
bom here, in 1729. He died May 
19, 1795. 

Amherst, Me. 

Hancock co. Tliis town is boun- 
ded on the S. by JNIariaville. The 
head waters of Union river pass 
through it. It lies about 25 miles E. 
of Bangor. Population, 1837, 198. 

Amherst, N. H. 

An important town, and the seat 
of justice in Hillsborough county, 
is situated on Souhegan river. It 
is 28 miles S. from Concord, about 
the same distance from Hopkinion, 
47 N. W. from Boston, 40 E. from 
Keene, 60 S. E. from Windsor, Vt. 
and 48 4 from Washington. Souhe- 
gan is a consjdei-ahle and very im- 
portant stream, and in its course 
to the Merrimack river from this 
town, affords some of the finest wa- 
ter privileges in the county. Bab- 
booauck. Little Bablioosuck and Jo 
English ponds are the largest col- 
lections of water. In some parts, 
and particularly on Souhegan river, 
the soil is of an excellent quality, 
producing abundant crops. In oth- 
er parts, on the hills elevated above 
the village, the soil is of a good 
quality, and several valuable farms 
are found under good cultivation. 
The village is pleasant and contains 
many handsome buildings. There 
is a spacio\is common between the 
two principal rows of houses, which 
is often used i'ov public purposes. 
There is what is termed a mineral 
spring, about 1 1-2 miles E. of the 
meeting house. The water has 
been found useful in rheumatic 
complaints, and in scrofulous and 
scorbutic habits ; for poisons by ivy, 
dog-wood, &.C. Tliis town was 
granted in 17.')3, by Massachusetts, 
to those persons living and the heirs 
of those not living, who were offi- 
cers and soldiers in the Narragan- 
set war of 1675. It was called A'ar- 
raganset JVu.'i, and afterwards Sou- 
hegan- West. The number of pro- 

2* 



prietors was 120, of whom a consid- 
erable number belonged to Salem, 
Mass. The town was incorporated 
Jan. IS, 1760, when it assumed the 
name of Amherst, in compliment to 
Lord Jeffrey Amherst. Among 
the worthy citizens of Amherst 
who deserve remembrance, may be 
mentioned Hon. Moses Nichols, a 
native of Reading, Mass., who was 
a colonel under Gen. Stark in the 
Battle of Bennington: Hon. Samuel 
Dana, a native of Brighton, Mass. 
Hon. William Gordon, eminent 
in the profession of the law. — 
Hon. Robert Means, who died Jan. 
24, 1823, at the age of 80, was for 
a long period of time a resident in 
Amherst. He was a native of Ire- 
land. In 1764, he came to this 
country, where by his industry and 
application to business, he acquired 
a large property, and great respect. 
Amherst did its duty manfully 
during the revolutionary contest. 
During the first four years of that 
war about one in seventy of its 
people died in the service. The 
expenses of that war, to this town, 
" in addition of any bounties, travel 
or wages given or promised by the 
State or the United States, was 
found to be in specie, J£3,511." 
Population, 1830, 1,657. 

Amherst, Mass. 

Hampshire co. The college and 
village in this town are on elevated 
ground and command a very beau- 
tiful prospect of the surrounding 
country. Amherst was taken from 
Hadley, and incorporated in 1759. 
Population, 1837, 2,602. It lies 7 
miles E. by N. from Northampton, 
108 S. fi-om Dartmouth college, and 
82 miles W. from Boston. There are 
good mill sites in this town on two 
streams, which empty into the Con- 
necticut at Hadley. Its manufac- 
tures- are various, consisting of 
woollen cloth, boots, shoes, leather, 
hats, paper, chairs, cabinet ware, 
tinware, axes, ploughs, palm-leaf 
hats, carriages, wagons, (large and 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



small) joiners' planes, stoves, steel 
hammers, pistols, and bowie knives. 
Total annual amount of manufac- 
tures, about $200,000. See Reg- 
ister. 

Amity, Me. 

Washington co. Township No. 
10, first range of townships from the 
east line of the state, — about 100 
miles N. E. from Bangor. Incor- 
porated 1836. Population, 1837, 
130. This town has fine soil for 
wheat. 

Amonoositck Rivers, N. H. 

Upper and Lower. The Upper 
Amonoosuck rises in the ungranted 
lands north of the White Mountains, 
and passing N. E. into Dummer, 
approaches to within a few miles of 
the Androscoggin ; thence turn- 
ing abruptly to the S. W. it pursues 
that direction and falls into Connec- 
ticut river near the centre of North- 
umberland. Its whole length is 
about 50 miles. The valley of the 
Upper Amonoosuck is 7 or 8 miles 
in breadth, and more than 20 in 
length : it is scooped out with great 
beauty, the surface gently rising to 
the summits of the mountains on 
the N. The Lower Amonoosuck 
rises on the W. side of the White 
Mountains, and after running a 
course of 50 miles, falls into the 
Connecticut just above Haverhill, 
by a mouth 100 yards wide. At 
tlie distance of two miles from its 
mouth, it receives the Wild Amo- 
noosuck, a stream 40 yards wide, 
and, when raised by freshets, very 
swift and furious in its course. 
The waters of the Amonoosuck 
are pure, and its bed clean; the 
current lively, and in some places 
rapid. The valley of the Lower 
Amonoosuck is about half a mile 
in width, and was probably once 
the bed of a lake, its S. W. limit 
being the rise of ground at its foot, 
over which the waters descended 
in their course to the Connecticut. 
There is a fine fall in this river about 



6 1-2 miles from the Notch of the 
White Mountains, where the de- 
scent is 50 feet, cut through a mass 
of stratified granite. 

Amoskcag Falls &; Village, N. H. 

These falls are in the Merrimack 
river ; between Goflstown on the 
W. and Manchester on the E. The 
whole fall of the river, within the 
distance of half a mile, is 54 feet, 
producing a great hydraulic pow- 
er. A company, with a large cap- 
ital, have commenced forming ca- 
nals and erecting buildings for man- 
uiacturing purposes on a very ex- 
tensive scale. Their plan provides 
for 37 mills, each containing 6000 
spindles. Two canals, 2 factories, 
a number of dwelling houses, ma- 
chine shops, &c. are now nearly 
completed. The canals are each a 
mile in length, and will, when com- 
pleted, be equal to any works of the 
kind in our country. The village 
is in Goflstown, 16 miles below Con- 
cord and 18 miles above Nashua; 
delightfully situated on the banks 
of these majestic falls. Amoskeag 
is already a place of considerable 
business, and must eventually be- 
come the mart of large manufac- 
turing operations. The vicinity of 
these falls was much fi'equented by 
the Indians. The Sachem Wono- 
lanset resided here. The tribe un- 
der him was sometimes molested by 
the Mohawks, who carried terror 
to the hearts of all the eastern In- 
dians. In time of war between 
these hostile tribes, the Indians liv- 
ing in the neighborhood of the falls, 
concealed their provisions in the 
large cavities of the rocks on the 
island in the middle of the upper 
part of the fall. They entertained 
an idea that their deity had cut out 
these cavities for that puipose. 

Andover, Me. 

Oxford CO. Thistown was incor- 
porated in 1804. Population, 1837, 
551. It lies about 30 miles N. W. 
from Paris, CI W. N. AV. from Au- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



gusta,an(l 70 N. W. from Portland, 
it is finely watered by Ellis' river, a 
branch ol' the Androsco<je;in. This 
town is an extensive glebe of up- 
land and intervale of excellent 
quality, surrounded by While Cap, 
Bald Pate, Blue and Cone moun- 
tains. The town was t'lrst settled 
by industrious and intelligent farm- 
ers from Essex county, Mass., in 
1790, and most of its present popu- 
lation maintain the characteristics 
of their fathers. 

Aiidover, N. H. 

Merrimack co. It lies 20 miles 
N. W. from Concord, and about 18 
E. by N. from Newport. Popula- 
tion, 1S30, 1,324. The Blackwa- 
ter in the S. W. part of the town, 
is the principal stream ; but nu- 
merous rills and brooks find their 
way down the liills into the ponds 
or Blackwater. There are six 
ponds in Andover, the largest of 
which are Chance and Loon ponds, 
both picturesque, and their wa- 
ters pure. The surface of this 
town is extremely uneven, and 
in some parts rocky and barren. 
The Ragged Mountains pass along 
the N., and the Kearsarge extends 
its base along the W. The soil is 
in many parts of good quality, and 
pleasant villages are formed in dif- 
erent parts of the town. This town 
was granted in 1746, and was called 
*\>i« Breton, in honor of the captors 
of Cape Breton in 174-5; in which 
expedition several of the grantees 
were engaged. It retained this 
name until June 2-5, 1779, when it 
was incorporated by its present 
name. The first inhabitant of Ando- 
ver was Joseph J'ellows, wlio mov- 
ed into the place in 17()1 : he died 
March 14, ISll, aged 84. Among 
the deceased citizens who arc re- 
membered with respect by the in- 
habitants, we may mention Dr. Silas 
Barnard, the first physician in town, 
a native of Bolton, Mass., who died 
June 25, 1795 : Dr. Jacob B. Aloore, 
a native of Georgetown, Me., born 



Sept., 5, 1772; settled in Andover 
in 1796; died Jan. 10, 1S18. He 
possessed respectable poetical tal- 
ents; was a writer on political sub- 
jects in the public papers, and was 
eminent in his profession. Jonathan 
Wcarc, Esq., a civil magistrate, 
highly respected for his integrity, 
died in 1816. Mr. Joseph Noyea 
was much honored for his charitable 
disposition. In 1782 a congrega- 
tional church was formed and the 
Rev. Jossiah ]5abcock, of Milton, 
Mass., was ordained. Andover, 
though rough, is well adapted for 
grazing. It feeds about 4,000 sheep. 

Andover, Vt. 

Windsor co. Emigrants from En- 
field, Ct., first made a permanent 
settlement in this town, in 1776. It 
v.-as organized, as a town, in 1781. 
It is a mountainous township. Mark- 
hum and Terrible mountains lie in 
the western part. The land is une- 
ven, the .soil is hard, and the town 
possesses but few water privileges. 
Population, 1S30, 975. It lies 20 
miles S. W. from Windsor , 37 N. 
E. fiom Bennington, and 68 S. from 
Montpelier. The number of sheep 
in this town is about 4,500. 

Andover, Mass. 

Essex CO. This town lies on the 
south side of the Merrimack river, 
and is well watered by the Shaw- 
sheen river; and by Great Pond 
and Ilaggett's Pond, covering an 
area of 721 acres. It is 20 miles 
N. by. W. of Boston, 15 N. N. W. 
of Salem, 10 E. of Lowell, and 43 
S. S. E. of Concord, N. H. This 
town was first settled in 1643. In- 
corporated, 1646. Population, 1837, 
4,878. This town has a valuable 
water power, which is used for 
manufacturing purposes to a great 
extent. The value of its manufac- 
tures, for the vcar ending April 1, 
1837, amounted to .$624,450. They 
consisted of woollen goods, boots, 
shoes, leather, flax, soapstonc, ma- 
chinery, tin and cabinet wares, 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



chairs and hats. This is a very 
beautiful town of fine soil and un- 
der excellent cultivation. It is on 
high ground and commands a vari- 
ety of beautiful landscape. The 
access to Andover from 13o3ton by 
the railroad, is easy and very pleas- 
ant. This town has long been cel- 
ebrated for its literary and theologi- 
cal institutions. There is no place 
in New England better situated 
for seminaries of learning. See 
Register. 

Androscoggin River, 

Or Jlmeriscoggin. Its most north- 
erly branch is the Margallaway 
river which receives the waters of 
Dead and Diamond rivers, and unites 
with those flowing from Umbagog 
lake, about a mile distant from its 
outlet. From this junction, the 
confluent stream pursues a souther- 
ly course till it approaches near the 
White Mountains, where it receives 
several considerable tributaries, and 
passes into Maine, N. of Mount Mo- 
riah. It there bends to the E. and 
S. E. ; in which course, through a 
fertile country, it passes near the 
sea-coast, and turning N. runs over 
the falls at Brunswick, not far 
from Bowdoin College, into Merry- 
meeting bay, forming a junction 
with the Kennebec, 20 miles from 
the sea. 

Ann, Cai>c, Mass. 

See Gloucester, Mass. 

Anson, Me. 

Somerset co. Anson lies about 
10 miles N. E. from Noriidgewock, 
112 W. from Portland, and 40 N. 
E. from Augusta. Incorporated, 
1798. Population, 1837, 1,894. It 
lies at the junction of Seven Mile 
Brook with the Kennebec, on the 
western side of that river. Here 
are fine farms and good husband- 
men. In 1837, 12,713 bushels of 
wheat was raised. 

Antrim, N. II. 

Hillsborough co. It is 20 miles 



N. W. from Amherst, 30 S. W. 
from Concord, and 67 from Boston. 
The E. part of Antrim lies on Con- 
toocook river ; and though some- 
what hilly, is a tract of productive 
land, a considerable proportion of 
which is arable. On the river 
there are valuable tracts of allu- 
vial land. The North Branch river, 
so called, a small stream originat- 
ing from several ponds in Stoddard, 
furnishes several valuable mill seats 
and in some parts of its course, it 
is bordered by tracts of intervale. 
The W. part of the town is moun- 
tainous, but suitable for grass, and 
affords an extensive range of good 
pasturage. There are six natural 
ponds well stored with perch and 
pike. A curiosity has been dis- 
covered in the middle branch of 
Contoocook river, a rock, about 10 
feet long and 8 feet wide, covered 
with a shallow coat of moss, affbrd- 
ing sustenance to 21 different kinds 
of plants and shrubs, three of which 
pi-oduce edible fruit. Antrim was 
incorporated March 22, 1777. The 
first settlement was made by Dea. 
James Aiken about the year 1768. 
Dea. Aiken was a native of Lon- 
donderry, where he was born in 
1731. He died July 27, 1817. He 
was a professor of the christian re- 
ligion more than 60 years, and 
adorned it by a serious and exem- 
plary life. Population, 1830, 1,309. 
Antrim has about 4,400 sheep. 

Appleton, Me. 

Waldo CO. This town lies 20 
miles S. W. from Belfast, 84 N. W. 
from Portland, and 35 E. by S. from 
Augusta. Incorporated, 1829. — 
Population, 1837, 839. It is situa- 
ted between the head waters of 
the Muscongus and St. George's 
rivers. Considerable wheat is grown 
here. 

Argyle, Me. 

Penobscot co. This is a new 
town, but fertile, and flourishing 
in its agricultural pursuits. It pro- 



NEW ENCLAND GAZETTEER. 



duces the best of wheat. It lies 
89 miles N. E. from Au£!;usta. — 
Population, 1S30, 32a ; in 1837, 001. 

iVrlingtoii, Vt. 

Bennington co. This town was 
first settled in 1T63. The time of 
its or£;anization is not known, as one 
Bisco, a tory, the town clerk in 
1777, destroyed the records. It is 
finely watered by Green liver, Mill 
and Warm brooks, and Roaring 
branch which fall into the Batten- 
kill, at the north part of the town. 
These streams affoid excellent mill 
sites, and on their banks are large 
bodies of superior meadow land. 
West and Red mountains extend 
through the west part of the town 
and supply a great variety of good 
timber. Excellent marble is found 
here ; — considerable quantities of 
which are wrought and transported. 
Here is a medicinal spring, and a 
cavern of large dimensions. The 
spring is not of much notfe, but the 
cavern is a great curiosity. This 
is a flourishing town in both its ag- 
ricultural and manufacturing pur- 
suits. The number of sheep in 
this town in 1836, was 10,077. It 
lies 15 miles N. from Bennington, 
106 S. W. from Montpclier, and 40 
N. E. from Troy, N. Y. Popula- 
tion, 1830, 1,207". 

Aroostook: River. 

This river rises in the interior 
part of Penobscot county. Me., and 
after traversing more than 100 miles, 
and receiving many and powerful 
tributaries in that state, it falls into 
the river St. Johns in New Bruns- 
wick. The lands on this river and 
its branches arc very fertile, and are 
said to be equal to the celebrated 
Genesee lands for the culture of 
wheat. 

Ascutiiey Mouiiialu, Vt. 

This mountain is situated in the 
towns of Windsor ?nd Weathers- 
field. It is 3,116 feet above the 
Connecticut river, at Windsor; and 



3,320 feet above the level of the 
sea. It consists of graniie and is 
nearly destitute of vegetable cov- 
ering. From Windsoi', to the base, 
is 4 miles. Its ascent is generally 
steep, but travellers who delight 
to view rich and variegated scene- 
ry, will be amply revvaided for the 
toil of a pilgrimage to its summit. 

Ashbui'iiliam, Mass. 

V»'orcester co. This township 
was granted to Thomas Tileston and 
others of Dorchester, for services 
in an expedition against Canada, in 
the year 16.00. For many years it 
was called " Dorchester Canada." 
It was incoi-porated as a town in 
1765. Ashburnham lies on the 
height of land between the Con- 
necticut and Ivlerrimack rivers. It 
is watered by large ponds which 
furnish good mill seats. Its manu- 
factures consist of cotton goods, 
boots, shoes, leather, chairs, cabin- 
et ware, fur and palm-leaf hats ; the 
annual value of which is about 
.$100,000. This town is 30 miles 
N. froin Worcester, 50 N. W. from 
Boston, and 35 Vv". from Lowell. 
Population, 1837, 1,758. 

AsUTiy, Mass. 

This is a pleasant town, in the 
county of Middlesex, on the line of 
N. H. It is 25 miles N. W. from 
Concord, 42 W. N. W. from Boston 
and 8 S. E. from New Ipswich, N. 
H. Population, 1S37, 1,201. It has 
some manufactures of palm-leaf hats 
boots, shoes, chairs, wooden ware, 
and curled hair. 

Asliiicld, Mass. 

Franklin CO. This tov>'n was first 
settled in 1754, and, until its incor- 
poration, in 1764, it was called 
Huntstown. Population, 1837, — 
1 ,656. This town is on elevated land 
between Dcertield and Westfield 
rivers, to each of which it sends a 
small tributary. It has small man- 
ufactures of leather, scythe snaiths, 
spirits and essences, and about 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



8000 sheep. It is 105 miles W. from 
Boston, 12 S. W. t'lom Gicenliekl, 
and 15 N. W. from Noithampton. 

Aslifoid, Ct. 

Windham co. This town was 
first settled in 1710. Incorporated, 
1714. It is watered by .several 
small streams which afford a water 
power for one cotton and three 
woollen factories. The surface of 
the town is rough and stony, but 
excellent for grazing. The num- 
ber of sheep in this town is about 
5,000. It lies 31 miles E. from 
Hartford, and 14 N. W. from Bi-ook- 
lyn. Population, 1S30, 2,660. The 
following is said to have occuried in 
this town, and is told to illustrate the 
manners and customs of ancient 
times. " A concourse of people 
were assembled on the hill in front 
of the meeting house, to witness 
the punishment of a man who had 
been convicted of neglecting to go 
to meeting on the Sabbath for a pe- 
riod of three months. According 
to the existing law for such delin- 
quency, the culprit was to be pub- 
licly whipped at the post. Just as 
the whip was about to be applied, 
a stranger on horseback appeared, 
rode up to the crowd of spectators, 
and enquired for what purpose they 
were assembled. Being informed 
of the state of the case, the strange 
gentleman rose upright in his stir- 
rups, and with emphasis addressed 
the astonished multitude as follows : 
' You men of Ashford, serve God 
as if the D...1 was in you ! Do you 
think you can whip the grace of 
God into men .' Christ will have 
none but volunteers.' The people 
stared, while the speaker, probably 
not caring to be arraigned for con- 
tempt of court, put spurs to his 
horse, and was soon out of sight; 
nor was he evermore seen or beard 
of by the good people of Ashford." 
Col. Thomas KnowHon was a na- 
tive of this town. He was at the 
battle of Bunker Hill, and fell at 
Ha?rlem Heights, in 1776. AVash- 



ington termed him, in a general or- 
der after his death, "the gallant and 
brave Col. Knowlton, who would 
have been an honor to any coun- 

try-" 

Asliuelot River, ST. H., 

Or Ashwillet, a river in Chesh- 
ire county, which has its source in 
a pond in Washington. It runs in 
a southerly course through Marlow 
and Gilsum, to Keene, where it re- 
ceives a considerable branch issu- 
ing from ponds in Stoddard. From 
Keene it proceeds to Swanzey, 
where it receives another consider- 
able branch which originates in Jaf- 
frey and Fitzwilliam. It pursues 
its course southerly and westerly 
through Winchester into Hinsdale, 
where, at the distance of al)out 3 
miles from the S. line of the state, 
it empties into the Connecticut. 

Assa1)et River, Blass. 

This river rises in the neighbor- 
hood of Westboiough ; — it passes 
through Marlborough, Northbo- 
rough and Slow, and joins Sudbury 
river at Concord. 

Alliens, Me. 

Somerset co. This town was 
incorporated in 1S03. Population, 
1837, 1,424. It is about 18 miles 
N. N. E. from Norridgewock, 11-1 
N. N. E. from Poitland and 45 N. 
from Augusta. It is watered by a 
tributary of Kennebec river. 

Alliens Vt. 

Windham co. This town lies 14 
miles N. from Newfane, 98 S. from 
Montpelier, 10 W. from Bellows' 
Falls, and about 40 N. E. from Ben- 
nington. Population, 1830, 415. 
This town was lirst settled in 17S0, 
by people from Rindge, N. H., and 
Winchendon, Mass. They encoun- 
tered great hardships. " The snow 
was four feet deep when they came 
into town, and they had to beat 
their own path for 8 miles through 
the woods. A small yoke of oxen 



NEW ENGLANI> GAZETTEER. 



were the only domestic animals 
that they took with them." Tliis 
is a good township of land, particu- 
larly tor grazing. It has 2000 sheep. 
Here are productive orchards, pine 
tiinher, and a small mill stream. 

AtUol, Mass. 

Worcester co. The Indian name 
of this town was Paquoii^. This 
pleasant place lies 60 miles W. N. 
W. from Boston, 28 N. W. from 
Worcester, and about 24 W. troni 
Fitchburg. IMiller's river is a line 
stream, and afi'ords Athol a great 
water power. The manufactures 
of -Athol consist of cotton goods, 
boots, shoes, leather, paper, iron 
castings, scythes, ploughs, cabinet 
ware, machinery, straw bonnets, 
palm leaf hats,shoe pegs, harnesses, 
shoe and hat boxes, pails, sashes, 
doors and blinds; — annual amount 
about $175,000. Incorporated, 17(j2. 
Population, 1S37, 1,603. 

Atkinson, Me. 

Piscataquis co. This township 
was incorporated in 1819. It lies 
about 35 miles N. N. W. from Ban- 
gor, 132 N. E. from Portland, and 
79 N. E. from Augusta. Popula- 
tion, 1837, 557. It is bounded on 
the N. by Piscataquis river. This 
town has a ffood soil. Wheat crop, 
1837, 5,168''bushcls. 

Atkinson, K'. H. 

Rockingham co. It is situated 
30 miles S. W. from Portsmouth, 
and 32 S. fl. from Concord. The 
surface of Atkinson is uneven ; the 
soil of a superior quality, and well 
cultivated. The cultivation of the 
apple has received much attention 
here, and the finest fruit is pro- 
duced. Incorporated Sept. 3, 17()7j 
by its present name, in honor of 
Theodore Atkinson. Several of 
the first settlers lived to a great age. 
The Rev. Stephen Peahody was the 
first settled minister in Atkinson. 
He was a native of Andover, Mass. 
He took an active part in the revo- 



lution, and served as chaplain in 
the regiment under Col. Poor, sta- 
tioned at Winter-Hill. The acade- 
my in this town is one of the oldest 
and most respectable institutions in 
the .'tate ; it was incorporated Feb. 
17, 1791. " In a large meadow in 
this town, there is an island, con- 
taining 7 or 8 acres, which was for- 
merly loaded with valuable pine 
ti?nber and other forest wood. When 
the meadow is overflowed, by means 
of an artificial dam, this island rises 
in the same degree as the water 
rises, which is sometimes six feet. 
Near the middle of this island, is a 
small pond, which has been gradu- 
ally lessening ever since it was first 
known, and is now almost covered 
with verdure. In the-water of this 
pond, there have been fish in plen- 
ty; which, when the meadow hath 
been flowed, have appeared there, 
and when the water hath been 
drawn oflT, have been left on the 
meadow ; at which time the island 
settles to its usual place." Popu- 
lation, 1830, 555. 

Attlcljoroiigli, Mass. 

This town lies at the N. W. cor- 
ner of the county of Bristol ; 12 
miles N. from Piovidence, R. I., 8 
N. W. from Taunton, and 28 S. 
from Boston. A branch of the 
Pawtucket rises here, and several 
other rivers pass through the town. 
It possesses a fine water power. It 
was first settled, 1644, and incorpo- 
rated in 1604. Population, 1837, 
2,396. The value of the manufac- 
tures at this place, for the year 
ending April 1, 1S37, amounted to 
about' $500,000. That of cotton 
goods alone to $229,571. The oth- 
er manufactures consisted of boots, 
shoes, leather, metal bullous, combs 
jeweli-y, clocks, planing machines, 
carpenter's tools, straw bonnets, 
chairs and cabinet ware. This town 
suffered much during the reign of 
the celebrated Indian King Philip. 
In 1675, Attleborough was ?l fron- 
tier settlement. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



Anlittm, Mass. 

Worcester co. Until 1837, this 
town had been called Ward, in hon- 
or of General Ward, of the revolu- 
tionary army. It was incorporated 
in 1778. Population, 1837, 1,183. 
Auburn is a pleasant agricultural 
town. French livcr passes through 
it. It lies 5 miles S. by W. from 
Worcester, and 45 W. S. W. from 
Boston. 

AugTista, Me. 

This delightful town, the Capi- 
tal of the state, and chief town 
of the county of Kennebec, is in 
N. Lat. 44° 18' 43" and W. Lon. 
69° 50'. It lies 146 miles N. E. 
from Concord, N. H.; 182 E. N.E. 
from Montpclier, Vt. ; 163 N. N.E. 
from Boston, Mass. ; 203 N. N. E. 
from Providence, R. I. ; 260 N. E. 
from Hartford, Ct. ; and 595 miles 
N. E. from Washington. Augusta is 
situated at the head of sloop naviga- 
tion on Kennebec river, 43 miles 
ti-om the sea. The town lies on 
both sides of the Kennebec, and 
contains an area of 8 by 6 miles. 
It was first settled in 1771, and in- 
corporated in 17S7. In 1838 it con- 
tained 6,300 inhabitants. Its In- 
dian nnmc was Ciishnoe. There 
was, in its early settlement, a fort, 
and four block houses built of tim- 
ber, to afford protection to the in- 
habitants from the Indians, who 
were then very troublesome. The 
fort was called Fort Western, and 
is still standing on the east bank of 
the river, and is now occupied as a 
dwelling house. This is already a 
very ilourishing town, not only in 
its agricultural pursuits, but in its 
commerce and manufactures. The 
tonnage of the place is about 3000 
tons. Its exports are lumber of all 
kinds, oats, peas, beans, hay, pota- 
toes, wool, cider, apples, Slc. — 
When the extent and resources of 
the noble Kennebec and its tributa- 
ries, above tide water, are consid- 
ered, some idea may be formed of 
the vast quantity of lumber that 



must pass this place on its passage 
to market. 

The Kennebec bridge, uniting the 
east and west parts of the town is 
a fine structure. It was built in 
1799; is 520 feet in length, and 
cost $28,000. The town rises by 
an easy ascent on both sides of the 
river to a level surface ; it is well 
laid out, neatly built, and contains 
many handsome dwelling houses. 
Many of the streets are decorated 
by trees, planted on each side ; — a 
striking evidence of the good taste 
of the inhabitants. 

The State House is a spacious and 
elegant structure, located upon a 
beautiiul eminence about half a 
mile from the village, on the road 
towards Hallowell, and commands 
an extensive and very delightful 
prospect. It is built of hammered 
granite, or rather gneiss of a white 
color, and very much resembles 
marble, at a distance. The materi- 
al of which it was built, was quar- 
ried fiom the spot on which it stands. 
It has a spacious hall for the Rep- 
resentatives ; two of convenient size 
for the Senate and the Executive 
Departments, and rooms for all the 
offices immediately connected with 
the Government. In front is an ex- 
tensive common, adorned with trees 
tastefully arranged, which, when 
grown into shades, will afford a de- 
lightful promenade. 

The United States' Arsenal 
buildings are situated upon the east 
bank of the river, in view of the vil- 
lage, and are chiefly constructed of 
stone, and present a very fine ap- 
pearance. The Government has 
expended large sums of money in 
their construction, and it is expect- 
ed that soon the Government will 
make it an Arsenal of Construc- 
tion. There are at present about 
2000 stand of arms deposited here, 
besides cannon and other munitions 
of war. The Post is commanded by 
a captain of the Ordnance Depart- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



ment, aided by a Lieut, of the same 
corps. 

The State Insane Hospital. This 
.splendid j^ranite edilice, an honor 
to the state and to huiiianity, occu- 
pies a phit of elevated ground, of 
seventy acres, on the east side of 
Uie river. Its situation is unrival- 
ed for the beaufy of its scenery. 
This buiUiins; was commenced in 
1836, and wiil pi-obahly be complet- 
ed and prepared to receive patients, 
in 1S39. It will cost the state, and 
some benot'icent individuals, who 
have ma<le liberal donations towards 
its erection, about ,f 100,000. It is 
of the model of the Lunatic Hos- 
pital at Worcester, Mass., and is 
much admired for its external arch- 
itecture and internal ari-angement. 
The centre buildina; and wings are 
262 feet long; the centre building 
is 82 feet in length, 4ti feet wide, 4 
stories high, besides the basement 
and attic, having a cha])el in the attic 
80 by 40. The wings are 90 feet 
long in front, and 100 in the rear, 
38 feet wide, and 3 stories high, di- 
vided into 126 rooms, 120 of which 
are designed for patients, the re- 
maining 6 for water closets and oth- 
er purposes, with halls between the 
rooms 12 feet wide running the en- 
tire length of each wing, and com- 
municating with the dining rooms 
in the centre building. 

The Augusta High School, is an 
elegant brick building, situated up- 
on a beautiful eminence, 2 stories 
high, 6.5 feet long by .50 wide, hav- 
ing a pediment front supported by 
dorie columns, and contains two 
large school rooms, l)eside a labora- 
tory and four recitation rooms, and 
cost about .$7,000. 

The above is a brief sketch of the 
prominent features of this beauti- 
ful and flourishing town ; — such as 
it has become by the common ef- 
forts of an intelligent and enter- 
prising people, joined to the natur- 
al advantages of the place. 

3 



But a new era is opened to Au- 
gusta. The mighty waters of the 
Kennebec have been arrested in 
their course. That proud stream, 
which, for ages, has rolled its rapid 
current to the ocean, unimpeded by 
the devices of man, is destined for 
ages to come, to pay perpetual 
homage to Yankee perseverance 
and skill, and to lend its gigantic 
strength to aid the arts and sciences 
in supplying the wants of millions. 

We may perhaps, be suspected of 
partiality towards this lovely Vil- 
lage of the East, for giving it so ex- 
tended a iiotice ;^)ut, as accounts 
of works of great public utility are 
interesting to most of our readers, 
both duty and inclination prompt us 
to give a brief desciiption of the 
Keivnedec Dam; — a magnificent 
structure; — bold in its design — curi- 
ous in its workmanship, — and prob- 
ably unrivaled by any woik of sim- 
ilar character and for similar pur- 
poses, in this or any other country. 

Althougli Augusta enjoys the 
])]casure of seeing this noble enter- 
prise accomplished within its own 
borders, and by the energy of its 
own people ; yet improvements of 
this character are by no means lo- 
cal in thrir eflects. The benefits 
of this undertaking will be felt, not 
only in the valley of the Kennebec, 
but throughout the state. 

These works were commenced 
in I8.SC, by the Kennebec Locks 
and Canals Company, and com- 
pleted in September, 1837. The 
cost was about $300,000. They 
are about half a mile above the cen- 
tre of the village, and were con- 
structed under the superintendence 
of Col. William BoAHDMA]v,of 
Nashua, N. H., as chief engineer, 
from whose i-eport many of the fol- 
lowing facts are elicited. 

The length of the Dam, exclu- 
sive of the stone abutments and 
Lock, is 584 feet— the base, 127 
feet — the height (5 feet above or- 
dinary high watei mark. It is built 
with cribs of timber, bolted and 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



trenaileil strongly together, and is 
filled with ballast, to the very top. 
The upper slope is covered with 
five inch pine plank, jointed and 
perfectly tight ; the lower with live 
and three inch hemlock plank. — 
The crest, terminating at the sluice, 
near the middle of the overfall, is 
level, and covered entirely with 
stone eight feet in length, and 
strongly secured with iron straps 
and bolts. The sluice, sixty feet 
in length, is covered in the same 
manner, and is about twenty inches 
lower than the wings. The walls 
of the Lock are 170 feet in length, 
its chamber 101 feet by 28 1-3 feet 
in the clear, with a single lift; the 
west wall serves as the eastern 
ai)utment of the Dam — it is 28 feet 
thick at the base, graduated to 25 
at the top. The head and east walls 
are of corresponding strength. — 
Both are built wholly of granite. 
The face courses hammered, bed 
and joint, rabbitted, and laid in ce- 
ment, and the rabbit filled with 
cement The floor of the Lock is 
constructed of timber fifteen inciies 
deep, and covered with five inch 
pine plank, tongued and grooved, 
with an additional flooring of five 
inch hard wood plank, commencing 
at the head of the Lock and ex- 
tending fourteen feet. The main 
gates of the Lock, and guard gates 
of the Canals, are of white oak from 
the Chesapeake, and the wicket 
gates of cast iron. The large stone 
piers above the Dam, for the pro- 
tection of the Lock and abutments, 
are each .39 feet square on the base, 
graduated to 25 feet on the top, and 
about 34 feet high, and built of 
granite, clamped and strapped with 
iron. 

The Canals on each side of the 
river are 50 feet wide in the clear, 
carrying 10 feet of water from the 
level of the top of the dam. The 
walls are 22 feet high, 7 1-2 feet 
thick at the base, and 5 feet at the 
top. They are finished as far as, and 



including, the guard gates. The 
gates are of great strength, built of 
heavy oak timber, and in the most 
substantial manner, revolving in 
stone coins, with which stone and 
sheet-piling is connected, extending 
across and 25 feet into each bank, 
and driven 10 feet below the bottom 
of the Canals. 

The walls on the banks of the 
river, above and below the Dam, 
extending about 500 fc-ct, are of the 
same height as the Canal walls, 
and 8 feet thick at the base. On 
the upper side of the Dam is a 
sheet of Hmber-piling, tongued and 
grooved, and either resting on the 
bare ledge, or driven as far as they 
could be made to penetrate into the 
solid bed which covers a portion of 
its surface, and is connected with 
the piling which passes under and 
across the Lock into the east bank, 
and also with that which is driven 
in the west bank of the river. — 
Above this, and extending to the 
top of the Dam, so as to cover the 
entire planking of the upper slope, 
is a mass of gravel from 20 to 30 
feet deep. 

2,500,000 feet of timber and about 
25 tons of iron have been used in 
constructing the Dam, and about 
75,000 tons of ballast have been de- 
posited in it. 

The Lock, Piers, River and Mill 
walls, with the Canal walls, ex- 
tending to and including the guard 
gates, contain about 800,000 cubic 
feet of stone. 

During the progress of the work, 
and especially while the course of 
the river was contracted to a space 
of 17 feet wide by 24 deep (a time 
peculiarly favorable for forming an 
estimate, and rarely offered in a 
stream of this magnitude) repeated 
observations were made upon the 
velocity of the current, and at no 
time was there found a less quanti- 
ty than 2,500 cubic feet per second. 
It is proper to add that the seasons 
of 1836 and 1837, were both re- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEEK. 



markablc for the small quantify of 
water running in all the streams in 
tliis vicinity. 

The pond formed by this Dam 
covers 1200 acres. It is 16 1-2 miles 
in length, and its average depth is 
16 feet. 

Au£;usta presents advantages 
for manufacturing establishments, 
equal, if not superior toany in New 
England. It is located in the heart 
of a large and powerful state, rap- 
idly increasing in population and 
wealth; surrounded by a fertile 
country, i-ich in every necessary 
agricultural product, and stored with 
granite, clay, lumber, lime, iron 
ore — every building material ; all 
of which are found near the spot, 
and at very low prices. 

The facilities aflbrded at this 
place, for transportation, are of in- 
estimable value to a large manufac- 
turing town. Cotton and othei- raw 
materials, and manufactured goods, 
maybe transported by water, to and 
from the very dooi-s of the mills. 
At no distant period the great east- 
ern railroad fi-oni lioston and Port- 
land will pass through this town, 
in its course to IJangor. At this 
time, steamboats pass from Augus- 
ta to Boston in eleven hours. 

The greatest consideration, how- 
evei-, in regard to Augusta, as a 
manufactui'ing town, is its unfail- 
ing siijiplif of water. The main 
'branch of the Kennebec is the outlet 
of an immense lake, with numer- 
ous powerful tributaries, connected 
with other lakes or large reservoirs 
of water. On its passage to Augus- 
ta, Dead river. Seven Mile Brook, 
the Sandy, Sebasticook, and many 
other less powerful streams pay their 
tribute to it. Indeed, all the waters 
of the extensive valley of the Ken- 
nebec, above the Dam, meet at this 
place. It may be said with safety, 
that this place possesses a water 
power amply sufficient to drive 
200,000 spiiidics, day and night, 
throughout the year; and an almost 



inexhaustable surplus power fioia 
November to July. 

Preparations are making for the 
erection of buildings for extensive 
nianufacturing operations. 

Aurora, Me. 

Hancock co. This town lies 106 
miles fiom Augusta. With a popu- 
lation of only 140, this town pro- 
duced, in 1337, among its agricul- 
tural products, Hj3 bushels of wheat. 

Avorill, Vt. 

Essex CO. This town lies on the 
Canada line, about 30 miles N. of 
Guildhall. It has several large 
ponds and a branch of Nulhegan 
river. Some of these waters pass 
to the Connecticut, and some to the 
I'iver St. Francis. The soil of Aver- 
ill is cold and broken, with few cul- 
tivators. 

Avon, Me. 

Franklin co. Avon lies 35 miles 
W. by N. from Norridgewock, and 
50 N. N. W. from Augusta. It 
was incorpoi-ated in 1802. Popu- 
lation, 1837, 767. It is watered by 
some of the head branches of San- 
dy river. In 1837, this town pro- 
duced 3,220 bushels of wheat. 

Avon, Ct. 

Hartford co. This town was tak- 
en from Farminglon, in 1830. Pop- 
ulation, 1,025. It lies between two 
mountainous ridges an<l has consid- 
erable rich level land on the bor- 
ders of Farmington river. This is 
a handsome agiicultural town and 
possesses some very beautiful scen- 
ery. The view from Monte Video, 
on Talcott mountain, nearly 1000 
feet above the waters of the Con- 
necticut, is quite enchanting. — 
"Wardsworth's Tower," or Monte 
Video, is much resorted to by par- 
ties of pleasure in summer months. 
Avon is 6 miles N. from Farming- 
ton, and 9 AV. N. W. from Hart- 
ford. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



EacUelclcr, Me. 

Oxford CO. This township lies 
between two mountains on the line 
of New Hampshire, 20 miles W. 
by N. from Paris, and 60 W. from 
Augusta. 

Baileyville, Mc. 

Washinijton co. This town is on 
the line of New Brunswick, about 
45 miles N. by W. from Machias, 
and 80 E. N. E. from Banoor. In- 
corpoi-ated, 1828. Population, 1837, 
331. Baileyville is watered on the 
E. by the St. Croix, and on the N. 
by the outlet of Schoodic lakes. 

Balicr's River, N. H. 

Baker's liver, a considerable 
stream in Grafton county, is form- 
ed of two branches. The N. branch 
has its source near Moosehillock 
mountain in Coventry. It runs 
southerly through Warren into 
Wentworth, where it unites with 
the S. branch which originates in 
Orange. Alter the union of these 
branches, the river pursues a S. E. 
and an easterly course through the 
S. part of Rumncy and the N. part 
of Plymouth, where it forms a junc- 
tion with Pemigewaset river just 
above Plymouth village. It was 
on this river, in the township of 
Rumne\', that General Stark was 
captured by the Indians, on tho 28th 
of April, 1752. 

Bafeersficld, Vt., 

Franklin co., lies 30 miles N. E. 
from Burlington, 38 N. N. W. from 
Montpclier, and 15 miles E. from 
St. Albans. Branches of Missis- 
que river pass through it. This 
town is well timbered with hard 
wood ; the land is warm, but some- 
what broken. 4,000 sheep. First 
settled about 1789. Population, 
1830, 1,087. 

Bald-win, Me. 

Cumberland co. This town is 
bounded E. by Sebago pond and W. 
by Saco river. It contains a num- 



ber of ponds, affording fish of vari- 
ous kinds. Baldwin was incorpo- 
rated in 1802. I'opulalion, 1837, 
1,133. It is 26 miles W. S, W. 
from Portland. 

Baltiinoi'e, Vt. 

Windsor co. This town was tak- 
en from Cavendish in 1793. Hawk 
mountain is the division line. The 
soil is warm but stony. 1,200 sheep. 
An abundance of gneiss and granite 
is found here. It is 10 miles N. W. 
from Windsor and about 65 S. from 
Montpelier. Population, 1830, 179. 

Bangor, Mc. 

This is the chief town of Penob- 
scot county. It lies in N. lat. 44° 
47' 50"., \V. long. 68° 47'. It lies 
66 miles E. N. E. from Augusta, 
120 N. E. by E. from Portland, 230 
N. E. from Boston, Mass., 115 S. 
from Eastport, and t;75 N. E. from 
Washington. The first settlement 
in this place, by the whites, was 
made in the winter of 1769 — 1770, 
In 1772, the Plantation, Kenduskeag, 
as it was then called, consisted of 
twelve families. In 1780, the pop- 
ulation of Bangor was 169 ; in 1800, 
277; in 1810,850; in 1820, 1,221; 
in 1830, 2,868, and in 1837, 9,201. 
This place is situated at the head ol 
navigation on the west side of Pe- 
nobscot river, 30 miles N. by E. 
from lielfast bay, 60 to JVIatawam- 
keag Point, 120 to Houlion, and 
about 60 n.iles from the open sea. 
The compact part of the population 
reside on both sides of Kenduskeag 
stream, about 190 yards in width at 
its mouth, over wliich are three 
bridges, and on which, at the foot 
of the falls, about a mile from the 
city, .are numerous mills. The 
bridge across the Penobscot, 100 
rods above the mouth of the Ken- 
duskeag, is about 440 yards in 
length. It cost ,$50,000. The basin 
at and below the rnouth of the Ken- 
duskeag, where the shipping lie 
to receive their cargoes, is 90 rods 
in width, and affords good anchor- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



age. The tide generally rises about 
17 feet. Ship building is exten- 
sively pursued at this place ; but 
commerce in lumber, of all the va- 
rious kinds in use, is the principal 
occupation of the inlial)itants. An 
immense amount of that article is 
annually rafted down the rivers, 
and transported to almost all parts 
of the world. Bangor is the great- 
est depot for lumber on the conti- 
nent of America. 

On the Penobscot river and its 
tributary streams, above Bangor, 
are more than 2.50 saw-mills, capa- 
ble of cutting at least two hundred 
million feet of boards a year; all 
of which, except what is used in 
building, must be shipped at the 
harbor of Bangor. The value of 
the boards, timber, clapboards, shin- 
gles, oars, scantling, wood, &c., 
shipped at this port, varies from a 
million to a miliion and a half of 
dollars, annually. About 1200 ves- 
sels of about 110 tons burthen are 
annually employed during the sea- 
son of navigation, in freighting lum- 
ber, timber. Sic, to various places. 
There are belonging to this place, 
about 100 sail of coasting vessels, 
50 engaged in -foreign commerce, 
and 15 or 20 other vessels engaged 
in the fisheries. 

Bangor was incorporated as a town 
in 1791. In 1S3 1 it became a city. 
Its government is under a Mayor 
and seven Aldermen, who consti- 
tute the upper Board ; and twen- 
ty-one Common Council men, who, 
when they have elected a Presi- 
dent, constitute the lower Board. 
A city court sets every INIonday. 

The site of the city is pleasant, 
commanding fine views of the riv- 
ers and the adjoining country. The 
buildings, both public and private, 
are constructed with neatness and 
taste, and some in a style of supe- 
rior elegance. Conveyances for 
travellers from the city are frequent 
and comfortable ; both by land and 
water. A railroad is in operation 
to Oldtown, 12 miles, and steam- 

3* 



boats ply to and from Portland and 
Boston, during the season of navi- 
gation, which generally continues 
eight months in the year. The 
great eastern railroad from Boston 
will doubtless reach this eastern city 
before the lapse of many years. 

On the banks of the Penobscot, 
within the city, three miles above 
the mouth of the Kenduskeag, is 
what is called " Fort Hill," the site 
of a fortification, supposed to be the 
ancient "Negas," destroyed by Cap- 
tain Heath, with a party of men, 
in 1725, who, it is said, " fell on a 
village of about 50 Indian houses, 
and committed them to the flames. 
The Indians becoming alarmed, de- 
serted them." 

Bangor is on one of the noblest 
rivers in the Northern States ; — the 
product of an almost innumerable 
number of tributary streams. Na- 
ture has seated Bangor at the nat- 
ural outlet of these mighty waters, 
as the mart of one of the most ex- 
tensive, and one of the richest al- 
luvial basins east of the Oliio val- 
ley. It is true that this section of 
country is in a high degree of lati- 
tude, and that the icy chains of 
winter are felt with greater force 
and for a longer period than in more 
southern climes. But this seeming 
disadvantage is more than compen- 
sated by the unrivalled purity of 
the air and water, — two of the in- 
dispensable requisitions of health 
and longevity. There is probably 
no portion of country in the world 
wliere the great staples of wheat, 
beef and wool can be proJuce<l with 
greater facility ; where surplus pro- 
duce can find a market at less ex- 
pense, or where the industrious ag- 
riculturalist can reap a more sure 
reward. When the present popu- 
lation of this immense territory, 
extending from tide water to Mad- 
awaska, is compared with that of 
older settlements of a less fertile 
soil, of less navigable facilities, and 
in nearly as high a degree of lati- 
tude, the mind is favorably struck 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



with the flattering prospects of the 
valley of the Penobscot, and with 
pleasing anticipations of the pros- 
perity of its city. See Register. 

Baring, Me. 

Washington co. This town is 
bounded N. by the St. Croix river, 
E. by Calais and Roliinston, and V/. 
by a large and beautiful pond which 
empties into the St. Croix. Incor- 
porated, 1825. Population, 1837, 
286. The railroad from Calais, 4 
miles, will soon be completed to 
this place. 209 miles N. E. by E. 
from Augusta. 

EarliliampsJcatl, €t. 

Litchfield co. This town is wa- 
tered by branches of Farmington 
river. The soil is more particular- 
ly adapted to grazing : considerable 
beef and the products of the dairy 
are sent to market. It is 26 miles 
N. W. from Hartford, and 20 N. N. 
E. from Litchileld. Population, 
1830, 1,715. First settled, 1746. 
Incorporated, 1779. Granite, iron 
ore and limestone ai-e found here. 
The hilly part of the town presents 
some fine scenery. Hiichcockvillc, 
north of the centre of the town, is 
a flourishing manufacturing village, 
with great water privileges. 

Barnard, Me. 

All the knowledge wc can obtain 
in regard to this town is, that it lies 
in the county of Piscataquis, 108 
miles from Augusta ; — that in 1837, 
there were 132 people in the town, 
and that they raised 444 bushels of 
wheat, the same year; — that this 
town received |i264 of the surplus 
revenue ; — that in 1837, Augustus 
W. Walker and others, obtained an 
act of the legislature for quairying 
slate, and that Stephen Palmer is, 
or was. Postmaster. 

Now, the good people of Barnard 
are hereby respectfully requested 
to give the editor their latitude and 
longitude, and other necessary in- 
formation for future editions. Cit- 



izens of other towus, similarly sit- 
uated, and of all towns, who may 
wish more full descriptions of their 
resources, &c. than we are able, at 
present, to give, are also requested 
to forward their communications. 

Barnard, Vt. 

Windsor co. First settled, 1774. 
Incorporated, 1778. Population, 
18.30, 1,SS1. It is watered by 
Broad Brook which empties into 
White river in Sharon ; and by Lo- 
cust Creek, which also empties in- 
to White river in Bethel. On this 
Creek, during the revolutionary war, 
there was erected a Fort, where 
the militia of this and other towns 
were stationed as a defence against 
Indian depredations — they having 
surprised and carried to Canada a 
number of its first settlers, in 1780. 
In the centre of this town is the 
village, and a beautiful pond, from 
which issues a stream on which 
there arc mills. On this Creek is 
an establishment for the manufac- 
ture of starch from potatoes. This 
stream joins its waters with the 
Creek one mile from the pond. The 
surface of this town is hilly. The 
soil is w'ell adapted to grazing; and 
there are but few towjis that turn 
off yearly more cattle, butter and 
cheese, sheep and wool. The num- 
ber of sheep is about 6,000. It lies 
10 miles north of Woodstock, and 
40 miles south of Montpelier. 

It is stated as a singular fact, that 
the firing on Bunker Hill, on the 
17th of June, 1775, was distinctly 
heard in this town, 130 miles N. 
W. from Charlestown. 

Baruct, Vt. 

Caledonia co. This town lies on 
Connecticut river, at the 15 mile 
falls, and opposite to Lyman, N. H. 
It has a good soil, and is an excel- 
lent farming town, with slate and 
iron ore. It lies 35 miles E. from 
Montpelier, 10 S. by E. from Dan- 
ville, ami 65 N. by E. from Wind- 
sor. Population, in 1830, 1,764. — 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



First settled, about 1763. Many of 
the inhabitants are of Scotch de- 
scent. This town has a great water 
power on Passunipsic and Stevens' 
rivers. On the latter, are falls of 
100 feet, in the distance of 10 rods. 
This water power is improved by 
three llannel and other manufacto- 
ries. There are a number of pleas- 
ant and fertile islands in the river 
between this place and Lyman, and 
some beautiful ponds in Barnet, 
which artbrd lish of various kinds. 
This is quite a romantic place, and 
lies at the head of navigation on 
the Connecticut river. In 1835, 
the product of the farms, carried to 
market, amounted to!^26,3Sl. One 
farmer sold 3,000 lbs. of butter, and 
3,000 ibs. of pork. There are about 
4,000 slieep in the town. 

Barnstable County Mass. 

Barnstable is the chief town. — 
This county was incorporated, 1683. 
Population". 1820, 21,016—1830, 28- 
525— and in 1837, 31,109; area, 
about 330 square miles. This coun- 
ty includes the whole of Cape Cod, 
extending E. and N. into the At- 
lantic ocean, and which Gosnold 
discovered in 1602. It is bounded 
X. W. by Plymouth county, and 
W. b}' Buzzard's bay. Cape Cod 
lies in the form of an arm,half open ; 
the elbow is at Chatham, 20 miles 
E. of Barnstable ; the hand, the 
wrist inclining inward, is at Race 
Point, 83 mile's N. by W. of Chat- 
ham. The whole length of the 
Cape is 65 miles, and the average 
breadth about 5. This county is 
principally diluvium. Below the 
town of Barnstable the county is 
quite sandy, so much so that the 
people are generally dependant on 
Boston and other towns for a large 
proportion of their meats and bread- 
stutTs. This deficit is amply com- 
pensated by the unrivalled privi- 
leges enjoyed, and well improved 
by them, in the cod, mackerel and 
other fisheries. This county has 
but little wood, but it is well stored 



with peat. About two millions of 
dollars are invested in the manufac- 
ture of salt. There were manu- 
factured in this county in the year 
ending April 1, 1S37, 669,064 biish- 
els of salt, valued at $219,870. The 
manufactures of cotton and woollen 
goods, boots, shoes, iron castings, 
glass, cabinet and tin wares, cord- 
age, &.C., amounted to $498,602. 
Tliere are in this county 376 ves- 
sels employed in the whale, cod 
and mackerel fishery. The tonnage, 
24,378 tons. The value of the iish- 
ery, in one year previous to April, 
1837. was *;557,737. Tonnage of 
the District, 1836, 30,278 tons. The 
annual amount of tonnage of vessels 
built is about 1,000 tons; value, 
$63,318. Toti.'l annual value of 
the fisheries and manufactures,, $1,- 
337,527. The number of sheep in 
the county in 1837, was 7,332. 

Barnstable county is noted for its 
fine sailors and men of superior nau- 
tical talents. The ladies are cele- 
brated for their fair complexions 
and good housewifery ; but are pe- 
culiarly subject to the vicissitudes 
pertaining to a maritime situation. 
By a statement recently made, it 
appears that there were in this 
county nearly a tliousand widows 
living, who had lost their husbands 
by the dangers of the sea. In two 
towns, (Harwich and Wellfleet,) 
there were 223 widows who had 
thus lost their companions. This 
county has 13 towns ; and 91 inhabit- 
ants to a square mile. 

Barnstable, Mass. 

This is the chief town of Barn- 
stable county, and a port of entry. 
It is 65 miles from Boston. Sanily 
jYeck, on the N. side, forms a good 
harbor for vessels of 8 feet of water. 
Hyannis, on the S. side, 6 miles S. 
E. of Barnstable C. H., is now a 
good harlior; but by an expensive 
Brealnvater, constructing at that 
place by the U. S. government, it 
will soon become perfectly safe 
from all winds, for all classes of 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



vessels navigating the Sound, and 
passing round the Cape. The " Pil- 
grim Fathers" landed here, Nov. 
11, 1620, and borrowed sonic corn 
of the Matlacheeset Indians. The 
celebrated patriot, James Otis, was 
born here, Feb. 5, 1725. He died 
at Andover, May 23, 1783. The 
manufacture of salt was commenced 
here as early as 1779. It then sold 
for $6 a bushel. There was made 
27,125 bushels of salt in this town 
in 1837. Between 50 and 60 sail of 
fishing and coasting vessels belong 
to this place. This town has nu- 
merous ponds, a considerable water 
power, some fine upland, and ex- 
tensive salt marshes. The manu- 
facture of vessels, salt, boots, shoes, 
hats, leather, cabinet ware, chairs, 
and wooden ware, amounted in one 
year to $56,562. Pop. 1837, 4,017. 

Samstead, N. H. 

Strafford co. This town lies 26 
miles \V. by N. from Dover, 3G N. 
W. from Portsmoui*3i, and 2(T N. E. 
from Concord. Incorporated, 1767. 
Population, 1830, 2,047. Barnstead 
is not mountainous, but has large 
swells of land, good for grazing. 
About 2,500 sheep are kept here. 
The soil is easy and productive. 
There are several ponds in this town 
— the largest are the two Suncook 
ponds, which lie near each other, 
Brindle pond, and Half-moon pond, 
on Alton line. These waters are 
stocked with fish, and are discharg- 
ed into the Suncook. Barnstead 
was granted May 20, 1727, to the 
Rev. Joseph Adams and others. 
Settlements commenced in 1767. 

Bai-re, Vt. 

A pleasant and flourishing town 
in Washington county, six miles 
S. of Montpelier, and 48 N. by W. 
of Windsor. This is considered 
one of the best farming towns in 
the state. Large quantities of pot 
and pearl ashes, beef, pork, butter 
and cheese, are annually taken from 
this place to Boston market. About 



7,000 sheep are kept here. It is 
well watered by Stevens' and Jail, 
branches of Onion river, which afford 
good mill privileges. Inexhausti- 
ble quantities of granite are found 
here, of the excellent quality with 
which the capitol at Montpelier is 
liuiit. This is a great thoroughfare 
for travellers, particularly for large 
teams from the north to Boston, by 
the Gulf road. A large numberof 
these noted six and eight horse 
teams are owned here. Barre was 
first settled in 17S8. Present pop- 
ulation, about 2,500. 

Earre, Mass. 

Worcester CO. This excellent ag- 
ricultural township is on high land, 
and is well watered, particularly by 
Ware river, on which are many 
mills. The manufactures of Barre 
for the year ending April 1, 1837, 
amounted to about !|365,000. The 
articles manufactured were woollen 
and cotton goods, (.$161,600) copper 
pumps, boots, shoes, carriages, 
leather, palm-leaf hats, ($167,200) 
sti-aw bonnets, axes, scythes, and 
gunpowder. Large quantities of 
beef, butter, cheese, &c., are an- 
nually sent from this town to Bos- 
ton market. It was incorporated in 
1774. Population, 1837, 2,713. It 
lies 65 miles W. by S. from Boston, 
24 N. by W. from W^orcester, and 
15 N. E. from Ware. Barre took its 
name in honor of Col. Barre, an el- 
oquent friend of America in the 
British Parliament. 

Barriiigton, N. H. 

Strafford co. It lies 20 miles N. 
W. from Portsmouth, 10 W. from 
Dover, and 30 E. from Concord. 
The surface of Barrington is some- 
what broken and rocky, the soil be- 
ing principally a gravelly loam. — 
The town is abundantly supplied 
with ponds, of which there are no 
less than thirteen of considerable 
magnitude, from whence issue 
streams affording excellent mill 
seats. At one of these mill seats. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



on the Isinglass river, is a perpen- 
dicular fall of 30 feet. There is, 
about two miles from the centre of 
the town, a remarkaLle cavern, or 
fissure in a rock, commonly called 
the Devil's den. The cutiance is 
on the side of a liill, and is suf'i- 
ciently large to admit a person in a 
stooping posture. Having entered 
5 feet in a liorizontal direction, 
there is a descent of 4 or 5 feet, on 
an angle of 45°, large enough only 
to admit the body of a middling siz- 
ed man. After squeezing through 
this passage, you enter a chamber 
60 feet in length, from 10 to 1-5 in 
height, and from 3 to 8 in width. — 
Communicating with this, are sev- 
eral other fissures of equal lieight, 
and from 10 to 1.5 in length. Bar- 
rington was incorporated May 10, 
1722, and the settlement commen- 
ced in 1732. Population, 1830, 
1,895. 

Barriu^on, R. I. 

Bristol CO. This small tovvn, of 
about 8 square miles, originally be- 
longed to Massachusetts. It was 
attached to Rhode Island in 1746, 
and incorporated in 1771. It is 
bounded southerly by Narraganset 
bay, and is well watei-cd hy Palm- 
er's river, and by an inlet of War- 
ren river, over which is a bridge. 
The soil of the town is of a feitile, 
sandy loam, and quite productive. 
Large quantities of sea-weed are 
collected on its shores. A large 
tract in Barrington, called " the 
cove," now covered willi wafer to 
a considerable depth, is supposed to 
have once been a forest, as timber 
and fuel are obtained from its bot- 
tom. Some salt is made in this 
town, and shell and other fish are 
abundant. Barrington lies 8 miles 
E. S. E. from Providence, and 
about 7 miles N. by W. from Bris- 
tol. Population, 1830, 612. 

Bartlctt, A'. H., 

Coos CO., is 45 miles S. E. from 
Lancaster, 82 N. N. E. from Con- 



cord, and 85 N. N. W. from Ports- 
mouth. It lies at the foot of the 
White Mountains, on the eastern 
side. Its soil is various, and, on the 
Saco, in some parts, good. This 
river meanders through the centre 
of the town. Bartlett was incorpo- 
rated June 16, 1780. Population, 
1S30, 614. 

Barton, Vt. 

Orleans co. This town derived 
its name from Gen. William Barton, 
of R. I., and was first settled in 
1796. The town is well watered 
by Barton river, which rises in 
Glover, and empties into Memphre- 
niagog lake. Here are several 
ponds containing good fish. Barton 
is a thriving town, with a good hy- 
draulic power, and about 3,000 
sheep, it lies 9 miles S. E. from 
Irasburoh, and 40 N. E. from Mont- 
pelier. ^Population, 1830,729. 

Easiii Harbor, Vt. 

See Ferrisburgh. 

Baskaliegan Kiver, Me. 

This river rises in a large lake of 
the same name, in the county of 
Washington, near the line of New 
Brunswick ; it passes westerly 15 or 
20 miles, and falls into the Mata- 
wamkeag, a tributary of the Pe- 
nobscot. 

Bath, Me., 

In the county of Lincoln, is situ- 
ated on the west bank of Kennebec 
river, 12 miles from the sea, 32 N. 
E. of Portland, and 31 S. from Au- 
gusta. It is bounded E. by Ken- 
nebec river, S. by Pliipsburg, W. 
by New Meadows river and Bruns- 
wick, and N. by Merrymecting 
bay. Population, in 1830, 3,773; 
in "l835, 4,200, and in 1837, 4,.523. 
Incorporated, 1780. An attempt 
was made by a missionary to settle 
this place, and preach to the fisher- 
men, as early as 1670. But the In- 
dians would not permit it. A per- 
manent settlement was made in 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



1756. The principal business of 
]}ath is commerce, trade and ship- 
building, for which it is admirably 
well located. There belonged to 
this port in 1835, 26 ships, 32 brigs, 
54 schooners, and smaller vessels. 
Tonnage of the district of Bath, in- 
cluding the waters of Kennebec 
river, in 1837, 41,728 tons. Total 
number of vessels belonging to the 
district of Bath, in 1835, 37 ships, 94 
brigs, 195 schooners, 10 sloops, and 
1 steam-boat. Total, 337. The 
harbor of Bath is seldom obstructed 
by ice. Regular lines of steam- 
boats ply between this place and 
Portland and Bo3ton, about three- 
fourths of the year. 

Bath, ]?j^. H., 

Grafton co., on Connecticut river, 
is 32 miles N. of Dartmouth Col- 
lege, 82 N. W. of Concord, and 9 
N. of Haverhill. Bath is pleasant- 
ly situated in the vale of the Con- 
necticut, between the Green moun- 
tains on the W., and the White 
Mountains on the E., by which it is 
effectually shielded from high winds 
and long storms. The Amonoosuck 
river waters the S. E. part, atFord- 
ing many fine mill seats and water 
privileges. The Amonoosuck has 
a very convenient fall at the village, 
calculated to accommodate ma- 
chinery to any extent. Two mills 
for the manufacture of cassimere, 
and other machinery, are already 
erected. At the principal village, 
(which is very pleasant,) there is a 
considerable bridge over the Amo- 
noosuck, of 350 feet in length, built 
in 1S07. The soil on the hills is 
generally a reddish loam, on a bed 
of marl, or hard pan. In the val- 
leys, it is alluvial. About one-sixth 
part of the whole town is intervale 
land. Much improvement has been 
made in the agriculture of this 
place : 550 sheep are kept here. 
The town was granted, 1761, and 
the first settlement was made in 
1765, bv John Herriman from Ha- 



verhill, Mass. Population, 1830, 
1,627. 

Batteiikill River. 

This river is about 45 miles in 
length. It rises in Dorset, and pass- 
ing Manchester, Sunderland and 
Arlington, it receives Roaring 
Brook and other tributaries in Ver- 
mont ; it then passes into the state 
of New York, and falls into the 
Hudson, three miles below Fort 
Miller, and about 35 miles N. from 
Albany, N. Y. 

Bays ami 1tIarl>ors. 

The bays and harbors in New 
England are generally mentioned 
under the places pertaining to them. 

Bear Camp River, N. H., 

Is formed of several branches ris- 
ing on the south side of Sandwich 
and Albany mountains. The two 
principal branches unite in Os^ipee, 
and fall into Ossipee lake on its 
western border. 

Bear River, Me., 

Rises in the highlands, near Um- 
bagog lake, passes Newry, and 
empties into the Androscoggin, op- 
posite to Bethel. 

Becket, Mass., 

An elevated farming township 
on the Green mountain range, in 
Berkshire county. Westfield, Farm- 
ington and Housatonick rivers re- 
ceive the waters of several ponds in 
this town. It has some small man- 
ufactures, and about 7,000 sheep. 
The town was incoi-porated in 1765, 
and lies 110 miles W. from Boston, 
15 E. S. E. from Lenox, and 23 W. 
from Northampton. Population, 
1837, 957. 

Beddingtou, Me. 

Washington co. There are sev- 
eral ponds in this town, which are 
among the head waters of Pleasant 
and Narraguagus rivers. Incorpo- 
rated, 1833. Population, 1837, 169. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER, 



It lies 35 miles N. W. from Machi- 
as, and about 40 E. from Bangor. 

Bedford, N. H. 

This is a pleasant town in Hills- 
borough county. It is 8 miles N. 
E. from Amherst, 20 S. by E. from 
Concord. Merrimack and Piscata- 
quoag are the only rivers in tlii-s 
town. The latter passes through 
its N. E. corner, where there is the 
pleasant and tlourishing village of 
Piscataquoag. This town has con- 
siderable very productive intervale 
land. It has been noted for the 
cultivation of hops and for its line 
domestic manufactures. On the W. 
line of Bedford, arc a remarkable 
gulf and precipice, which are oli- 
jects of curiosity. A considerable 
brook passes over the precipice, and 
falls about 200 feet within the dis- 
tance of 100 yards. Here are found 
several excavations in solid stone, 
which are sufficiently large to con- 
fain many persons. In mineralogy, 
this town atlbrds a great variety of 
.specimens. Iron ore is found in 
different places, and in several vari- 
eties. Sulphuretof iron, imbedded 
in common granite, and red oxide 
of iron, combined with alumine, arc 
common. Bhick lead, pyritous cop- 
per, schorl, hornblende, epidote, 
talc, mica, black, yellow and green 
gneiss, crystallized quartz, &c. are 
found here. The first child born in 
town was Silas Barron, son of Capt. 
Moses Barron, in 1741. The town 
was incorporated. May 19, 17-50. 
Bedford was the residence of many 
Indians in former times. Near 
Goffe's (alls is a spot of ground, 
about ton rods long and four wide, 
which is supposed to have been an 
Indian burial place. Population, 
1S.30, 1,.554. 

Bedford, Mass. 

This is a pleasant town in Middle- 
sex county, and the source of Shaw- 
sheen river. This town was for- 
merly parts of Concord and Billeri- 
ca, and was incorporated in 1729. 



Population, 1837, 85S. It lies 15 
miles N. W. from Boston, and 5N. 
E. from Concord. Bedlbrd is bound- 
ed N. by Concord river. It has 
some manufactures ; principally of 
boots and shoes. 

Belc]iertoi\-u, Mass., 

A beautiful town in Hampshire 
county, originally called "Cold 
Spring," 75 miles W. from Boston, 
11 E. from Northampton, and 27 E. 
from Pittsfield. Population, 1837, 
2,5^8. First settled, 1732. Incor- 
porated, 1761. The soil of the 
town is of an excellent quality, and 
well improved. Large quantities 
of wool is grown in this town. It 
is separated from Ware by Swift 
river, on the N. The principal 
manufacture is that of pleasure 
wagons, of which about fiOO are an- 
nually made. Mr. A. Shumway, of 
this place, has driven the stage be- 
tween Belcherlown and Northamp- 
ton 25 successive years. In that 
period he made 15,000 trips, travel- 
led 218,400 miles, and carried at 
least 124,000 passengers; yet, al- 
though his hours of travelling were 
early in the morning and late in 
the evening, he never broke a limb, 
overturned his coach, or met with 
any serious accident whatever, dur- 
ing his whole career. 

Belfast, Me., 

Is the chief town of Waldo coun- 
ty, and a port of entry, and is beau- 
tifully .situated on Belfast bay, on 
the W. side of Penobscot river. It 
lies 40 miles E. from Augusta, 30 
S. from Bangor, 30 N. from Thoin- 
aston, and, across Belfast bay, 12 W. 
from Castine. The town was in- 
corporated in 1773, but not perma- 
nently settled until about the year 
nyS. There is con'iderable good 
land in Belfast. In 1837 it pro- 
duced 3,492 bushels of as good 
wheat as ever grew on the prairies 
of the " boundless West." The 
Paa-jaggassawakeag river passes 
near the centre of the town, and 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



adds much to the appearance of tlie 
place. The harbor is verj' good — 
it is guarded by Long and Sears' 
islands, and has anchorage for a 
great number of vessels of the larg- 
est class. The proximity of Bel- 
fast to the sea, its site in relation to 
Penobscot river, and its excellent 
harbor, which w^as never known to 
have been obstructed by ice, but 
twice, (1780 — 1815,) gives it pe- 
culiar advantages for foreign com- 
merce, the coasting trade, and the 
fisheries. Considerable ship build- 
ing is carried on at this place. The 
tonnage of the district of Belfast in 
1837, was 29,.342 tons. The principal 
exports are lumber and tlsh. Pop- 
ulation, 1810,1,2.39; 1820, 2,026; 
1830, 3,077, and in 1837, about 
4,000. Belfast, although irregular- 
ly built, is a pleasant town, and is 
an important winter mart of the 
trade of Penobscot river. 

Belgrade, Me. 

Kennebec co. In this town are 
parts of three large and beautiful 
ponds or lakes, well stored with fish. 
They are connected with each oth- 
er, and find an outlet at V.'aterville. 
The scenery on the borders of these 
•waters is truly delightful. It pro- 
duced in 1837, 6,340 bushels of 
wheat. Belgrade was incorporated 
in 1796. Population, 1837, 1,4S3. 
It lies 10 miles N. E. from Augus- 
ta, and 69 N. by E. from Fori land. 
The village at Belgrade .Mills, f, 
miles from the centre of the town, 
?.nd 16 miles from Augusta, is a 
very flourishing place. 

Bellamy BaiiU, K. II. 

A river, one branch of which is- 
sues from Chesley's pond, in Bar- 
rington, and the other from low and 
marshy lands in the vicinity ; these 
unite in Madbury, and after mean- 
dering through the town, the wa- 
ters fall into the Piscataqua, on the 
W. side of Dover Neck, where the 
stream is called Back river. 



Belliiigliaiu, Mass. 

Norfolk CO. The soil of this town 
is light and sandy, and not very 
good for agricultural purposes. It 
is finely watered by Charles river, 
and lias a good hydraulic power. 
Its manufactures, consisting of cot- 
ton and woollen goods, straw bon- 
nets, boots and shoes, amounted, in 
one year, to $127,837. It lies 18 
miles S. W. fioin Dedham, 17 N. 
by W. from Providence, R. I., and 
28 S. W. from Boston. Population, 
1837, 1,159. Incorporated, 1719. 
Iron ore is found here. 

Bellows' Falls. 

See Walpole, jX. H. 

Belmont, Me. 

This town is well watered by the 
Paasaggassawakcag, which rises 
there in a pond of that name, and 
empties at 13e!fast, about 6 miles N. 
It lies 34 miles E. by N. from Au- 
gusta. In 1837, Belmont produced 
3,435 bushels of wheat, and consid- 
erable wool. Waldo county. 

Eelvitlere, Vt. 

Lamoille co. A mountainous 
township on the west side of the 
Green Mountains, 32 miles N. E. 
from Burlington, 32 N. from Mont- 
pelier, 27 E. by S. from St. Albans, 
and watered by branches of La- 
moille river. Incorporated, 1791. 
Population, 1830, 185. 

Eemiisigtoii Comity, Vt. 

Bevningtun and Manchester are 
the chiaf towns. This is the oldest 
county in Vt., on the west side of 
the Green l\Iounlr.ins. It is bound- 
ed on the north by Rutland county, 
on the east by Windham county, 
on the south by Berkshire county, 
Mass., and on the west by the state 
of New York. It is 39 miles long 
and 20 wide. Area, 610 square 
miles. Population, in 1820, 16,125 ; 
1830, 17,468. Inhabitants to square 
mile, 28. The low lands are excel- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



lent, and produce good crops, but the 
largest portion of the county is 
mountainous, and lit only for graz- 
ing. Many streams rise in the 
mountains and descend to the ocean, 
some by the Hudson and some by 
the Connecticut, affbrdinp; a great 
hydraulic power. Lead and iron 
ores of good quality are found in 
this county, and large quarries of 
beautiful white marble. The num- 
ber of sheep in this county in 1837 
was 69,828. 

Beuningtoii, Vt. 

One of the chief towns of Ben- 
nington county. It lies 120 miles 
S. W. by S. from Montpelier, 2-3 S. 
from Manchester, and 20 east from 
Troy, N. Y. Population, 1830, 
8,419. Present population, about 
4,200. First settled, 17t>l. The town 
is situated high above the great riv- 
ers and the ocean, yet we find it of 
good alluvial soil, delightfully en- 
circled by ever-green mountains. It 
abounds in iron ore, manganese, 
ochre and marble. The streams 
are numerous and afford excellent 
mill sites. The products of the 
soil consist of all the varieties com- 
mon to New England. Great at- 
tention is paid to the rearing of 
fheep : about 7000 of those useful 
animals feed on the hills and valleys. 
There are in Bennington, 6 cotton 
and 3 woollen factories, a very ex- 
tensive iron foundry, 2 furnaces, a 
paper mill, flouring mills, Sic. The 
public schools justly sustain an ele- 
vated rank. Bennington is finely 
located for the muses. On the bor- 
der of this town, about 6 miles W. 
of the court house, the gallant 
Stark, with a small band of " (ireeu 
Mountain Bo\s,'' celebrated for 
their bravery, gained an important 
victory over the British, August Ifi, 
1777. The fame of that battle is 
as imperishable as the mountains 
which overshadow the ground. 
Shame to the country : — there is 
not a stone to mark the spot ! 

4 



Beuson, Vt. 

Rutland co. This town, on Lake 
Champlain, was first settled in 1783. 
Population, 1830, 1,493. It lies 84 
miles E. from Montpelier, 20 W. 
N. W. from Rutland, and opposite 
to Putnam, N. Y. The lake at this 
place is about a mile in width. The 
town has some streams affording 
mill sites, but none of great im- 
portance. The waters are generally 
brackish and unpleasant. A stream 
issues from a swamp in this town, 
and after running a short distance, 
passes through the base of a high 
hill, a distance of more than half a 
mile. Benson has good pine, ma- 
ple, walnut, oak and beech timber, 
and a bog of marl resembling ful- 
ler's earth. There are about 14,000 
sheep in this town. 

Berkley, Mass. 

Bristol CO. Berkley lies .i7 miles 
S. from Boston, 18 E. from Provi- 
dence, and .5 S. from Taunton. Pop- 
ulation, in 1837, 878. Taken from 
Dighton in 1735, from which it is 
separatetl by Taunton river. Some 
coasting vessels belong to this place, 
and some ship building is carried on. 
Assonct village, on Taunton river, 
is the principal place of business. 
The soil is light and sandy. 

Berkshire County, Mass. 

Lenox is the chief town. This 
county was incorporated in 1770. 
Population, 1820, 35,(;6fi ; 1830,37- 
s-lo, and in 1837, 3f>,101 ; area, 860 
square miles. Bounded N. by Ben- 
nington county, Vt., W. by Rensse- 
laer and Columbia counties, N. Y., 
S. bj' Litchfield county, Ct., and 
E. by Franklin, Hampshire and 
Hampden counties. This county 
is rough and hilly in many parts, 
but it affords considerable very fine 
land, and produces much wool, 
all sorts of grain, and exports great 
quantities of beef, pork, butter, Stc. 
The number of sheep in this coun- 
ty in 1837, was 136,962. Berkshire 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



is the most elevated county in tlie 
state. The Green and Tauohkannic 
Mountains cross it from N. to S.; 
the average height of which is about 
1,200 feet above the level of the 
sea. The Housatonick and Hoo- 
sick are its chief rivers. The for- 
mer empties into Long Island Sound; 
the latter into the Hudson : 29 
towns ; 45 inhabitants to a square 
mile. " This county possesses, in 
rich and inexhaustible abundance, 
three of the most important articles 
of the commerce of the world. Iron, 
Marble and Lhnc, and its wood and 
water power are fully sufficient to 
enable it to lit them for the pur- 
poses of life." The tonnage of this 
county to its maits of trade, princi- 
pally on the Hudson, amounted, in 
1834, to no less than 34,07.5 tons. 
At the present time it probably ex- 
ceeds 40,000 tons. The enterprize 
of a railroad fiom Boston to Albany 
will soon be accomplished, and can- 
not fail of being exceedingly beneti- 
cial, not only to this county, but to 
the commonwealth at large. 

Berksliire, Vt. 

Franklin co. Elihu M. Royce, 
son of Stephen Royce, was the first 
child born in this town. That event 
occurred in 1793. On Missisque 
and Trout rivers, which watei' this 
town, is some fine intervale land. 
Pike river, from Canada, affords 
Berkshire a great water power. 
This town lies 50 miles N. W. from 
Montpelier, 22 N. E. by E. from 
St. Albans, and 31 N. E. by N. 
from Burlington. Population, 1830, 
1,308. About 3,000 sheep. 
Berlin, BIc. 

Oxford CO. This town is bounded 
E. by Phillips, S. by Weld and AV. 
by Byron. It lies 100 miles N. 
from Portland, 45 N. W. from Au- 
gusta, and about 40 N. from Paris. 
Population, 1837, 470. Wheat crop, 
same year, 2,175 bushels. 
Berlin, N. II. 

Coos CO. This town, from 1771 



to 1829, was called Maynesborough. 
The Androscoggin and Amonoo- 
suck rivers pass through it. It is 
about 20 miles E. from Lancaster, 
and 125 N. from Concord. Popu- 
lation, 1830, 73. 

Berlin, Vt. 

This is a pleasant town in Wash- 
ington county, watered by Onion and 
Dog rivers, Stevens' branch, and a 
number of ponds, furnishing good 
mill sites, and excellent fishing. 
The land is somewhat broken, but 
of strong soil and good for tillage. 
Considerable manufactures are pro- 
duced in this town, and about (j,000 
sheep. There is a mineral spring 
here of little note. First settled in 
1786. Population, 1830, 1,664.— 
Berlin is bounded N. by Montpe- 
lier and E. by Barre. 

Berlin, Mass. 

Worcester co. Taken from Bol- 
ton, in 1784. Population, 1837, 
724. It lies 15 miles N. E. from 
Worcester, 31 W. by N. from Bos- 
ton, and 7 S. E. from Lancaster. 
A branch of the Assabet affords 
this town good water privileges. 
Large quantities of hops are pro- 
duced here ; some wool, and some 
baskets. 

Berlin, Ct. 

Haitford co. Taken from Far- 
mias;ton, in 1785. Population, 1830, 
3,047. This town lies 11 miles S. 
fi-om Hartlbrd, and 23 N. from New 
Haven. The surface of Berlin 
is hilly, but productive of grass, 
grain and fruits. There are in the 
town about 2,000 sheep. The vil- 
lages of IVorthington and JVeiu 
Britain are very pleasant, and the 
manufactures of brass, tin and oth- 
er wares, there pursued, are very 
extensive and flourishing. The first 
manufacture of tin ware in this 
country was commenced at this 
place, in about the year 1770, by 
Edward .Patterson, a native of Ire- 
land. Mr. Patterson peddled his 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



ware about the countrj-, on foot, in 
baskets; his successors in the man- 
ufacture did the same, until the uses 
and vahie of the article becoming- 
known, and the demand increasing, 
horses and wagons were cmploj'ed ; 
and thus this important manufac- 
ture of New England was trans- 
ported to all parts of the country. 

Beruardston, Mass. 

Franklin co. This is a township 
of superior land for agricultural 
purposes, considerably elevated, be- 
tween Fall and Connecticut rivers. 
It was formerly called Fall Town. 
There was a fort here in 1740, 
when this part of the county was 
peopled mostly by Indians. It was 
incorporated, by its present name, 
in 17(>4. It lies 96 miles W. by N. 
from Boston, and 7 N. from Green- 
field. Population, 1S37,S7S. Bald 
and West mountains afford delight- 
ful scenery : — the former is 630 feet 
above the waters of the Connecti- 
cut. Here are springs containing 
magnesia, sulphur and iron. Bcr- 
nardston produced, in one year, 
18,000 bushels of corn and rye, and 
5,000 barrels of cider. There are 
3,022 sheep in this town, and some 
manufactures of shoes, leather,palm- 
leaf liats, and scythe snaiths, 

Ber^vicU, Me. 

York CO. This town lies on the 
E. side of Salmon river, about 14 
miles S. S. W. from Alfred, 45 S. 
W. from Portland, and 98 S. W. 
from Augusta. Berwick has con- 
siderable trade in lumber. Incor- 
porated, 1713. Population, 1837, 
1,799. 

Bethany, Ct. 

New Haven co. Taken from 
Woodbridge, in 1832. It lies 10 
miles N. by W. from New Ha- 
ven. Some portions of this town 
is good land and well cultivated, 
but a large part of it is mountain- 
ous, and fit only for the growth of 
■\vood. Beacon mountain, between 



Bethany and Naugatuck river, pre- 
sents .some wild and picturesque 
features. 

Bethel, Me. 

Oxfoi-d CO. Incorporated in 1796. 
Population, 1837, 1,864. Bethel 
lies iH miles N. W. from Paris, 61 
N. W. from Portland, and 63 W. 
from Augusta. This town is bound- 
ed N. and W. by Androscoggin riv- 
er, and S. by Greenwood. This is 
a fine farming town, and produced 
5,214 bushels of wheat in 1837. 

Bethel, Vt. 

Windsor CO. This town was first 
settled in 17S0, and was the first 
town chartered by the government 
of Vermont. It lies 31 miles S. by 
W. from Monlpelier, and 30 N. W. 
from Windsor. Population, 1830, 
1,240. Bethel is watered by 
branches of White river, and pos- 
sesses good mill sites. Soap stone 
is found here in great quantities 
and of good quality : much of it is 
sawed and transported. Garnet in 
small, but perfect crystals, is also 
common. The surface of Bethel is 
broken and mountainous, but the 
soil is warm and good far grazing. 
It has about 8,000 sheep. Consid- 
erable business is done at both vil- 
lages. East and West ; the latter 
is the largest. 

Bethel, Ct. 

Fairfield co. This is a pleasant 
and flourishing village, in the town 
of Danbury, and about 3 miles N. 
W. from the centre of that town. 
There are about fifty dwelling hous- 
es in the village, and about thirty 
work shops or factories. The man- 
ufacture of hats and combs is the 
principal business of the place, and 
large quantities of both are annu- 
ally transported to Boston, New 
York and other places. 

Bethlehem, If. H., 

Grafton co., is bounded N. by 
Whiteficld and Dalton, E. by Car- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



roll and iingranted land, S. by Fran- 
conia and Lisbon, and N. W. by 
Littleton. It is watered by Great 
Amonoosuck river. The soil pro- 
duces good crops of grass and grain. 
There is plenty of pine timber and 
sugar maple. Iron ore, both of the 
mountain and bog kind, has been oc- 
casionally found. Two mineral 
springs have been discovered. — 
Bethlehem was settled in 1790. 
It was incorporated Dec. 27, 1799. 
Population, 1830, 665. 

Bethlehem, Ct. 

Litchfield co. This town is 38 
miles W. S. W. from Hartford, 32 
N. W. by W. from New Haven, 
and 8 S. from Litchfield. It was 
taken from Woodbury in 1787. It 
is hilly, with a gravelly loam, and 
fit for grazing and the growth of 
rye. It has 2,000 sheep. Popu- 
lation, 1830, 906. The town is wa- 
tered by Pomperaug river, a branch 
of the Housatonick. 

Beverly, Mass. 

Essex CO. This town lies N. of 
Salem, and is united to it by a bridge 
across the North river, built in 178S, 
1,500 feet in length. The people 
of this town are noted for their en- 
terprise in commerce and the fish- 
eries. There are some merchant 
vessels belonging to this place, 
about 50 sail of fishermen, and 20 
coasters. The annual value of the 
fislieries at Beverly is about ^I'OO,- 
000. The manufactures, consisting 
of Brittania ware, tin and cabinet 
wares, chairs, hats, boots, hair, mus- 
tard and bricks, amounted in one 
year to about $120,000. The pros- 
perity of this town has not suffered 
by the growth of luxury or excess of 
trade; its fisheries and manufactur- 
ing concerns are steady and pro- 
gressive. First settled, 1626. In- 
corporated, 1688. Population, 1830, 
4,079—1837, 4,609. Among many 
distinguished men who have lived 
and died at Beverly, was Captain 
Thomas Lothrop, who commanded 



the " Flower of Essex," a compa- 
ny of young men from this county, 
and who were, with their leader, 
almost wholly cut off by the In- 
dians, at Bloody Brook, in 1675. 

Biddeford, Me. 

York CO. On the S. side of Saco 
river, and connected with the town 
of Saco by a bridge. The town 
extends down the river to the sea, 
and includes a point of land called 
" Fletcher's Neck," off which are 
several small islands; on one of 
which, Wood Island, is a revolving 
light. This is a good township for 
agricultural pursuits, the coasting 
trade, ship building, and the fish- 
ery. It lies 38 miles N. E. from 
York, 15 S. W. from Portland, and 
69 S. W. from Augusta. First 
permanently settled, 1630. Incor- 
porated, 1718. Population, 1837, 
2,278. See Saco. 

Billerica, Mass. 

Middlesex co. This town is wa- 
tered by the Concord and Shaw- 
sheen rivers, and has a pleasant vil- 
lage, on high ground, near the cen- 
tre. Its soil is good and well im- 
proved. The Middlesex canal and 
the Boston and Lowell rail road pass 
iiuoiigh the easterly part of the 
town. First settled, 1653. Incor- 
porated, 1655. Population, 1837, 
1 ,498. Here are some manufactures 
of woolen cloth, boots, leather, 
wooden ware, straw bonnets, shav- 
ing and splitting knives, bed bind- 
ing, soft soap, and spirits. Billerica 
lies 18 miles N. W. from Boston, 
7 S. S. E. from Lowell, and 7 N. E. 
by N. from Concoi'd. 

Biugham, Me. 

Somerset co. On the eastern 
bank of Kennebec j-iver, opposite 
to Concord, 26 miles N. from Nor- 
ridgewock, 118 N. N. E. from Port- 
land, and 55 N. from Augusta. In- 
corporated, 1812. Population, 1837, 
701. In 1837, 2,548 bushels of 
wheat was raised in this town. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



Black Rivers. 

Black river, in Windsor county, 
Vt. is 35 miles in length. It rises 
in Plymouth, passes Ludlow, Cav- 
en(ffih and Weatherstield, and falls 
into the Connecticut at Springlield. 
This river passes through many nat- 
Tiral ponds, and aflbrds a great num- 
ber of mill scats. 

Black river, in Orleans county, 
Vt. is about 30 miles in length. It 
rises in some ponds in Craftsbury, 
and passing through Albany, Iras- 
burg, and Coventry, it falls into 
Memphremagog lake at Salem. 

Black river, in Somerset county, 
Me. is one of the head branches of 
the Walloostook. 

Blackstone River, Mass. 

The most inland branch of this 
river rises between Paxtonand Hol- 
den. It passes Worcester, and the 
ponds in Shrewsbury pay it the tri- 
bute of their waters. After pass- 
ing Auburn, Grafton, Millbury, 
Sutton, Northbridge, Uxbridge and 
Mendon, it passes into the state of 
Rhode Island, where it changes its 
name to Pawtucket, and meets the 
tide waters in Providence river. 

Blackwater River, N. H. 

Blackwater river, N. H. so called 
from its dark appearance, is formed 
by two small streams, one of which 
rises La Danbury, and the other is- 
sues from Pleasant pond, in New 
London. These branches unite 
soon after crossing the \V. line of 
Andover, and form the Blackwater, 
which passes through the S. W. part 
of that town; from thence through 
the W. part of the towns of Salisbu- 
ry and Boscawen into Hopkinton, 
where it empties into Contoocook 
river. 

Blancliard, Me. 

Somerset co. This town lies 116 
miles from Augusta. In 1837, 79.5 
bushels of wheat was raised here. 
Population, same year, 261. See 
Barnard, Me. 

4* 



Blaudford, Mass. 

Hampden co. Branches of West- 
field river rise in this town and give 
it a good water power. Blandford 
was incorporated in 1741. It was 
originally settled by a company from 
the north of Ireland. It lies 114 
miles W. by S. from Boston, and 15 
W. by N. from Springfield. Popu- 
lation, 1837, 1,443. The manufac- 
tures of the place consist of woolen 
cloth, paper and leather. Annual 
amount, iji<50,.'J00. The agricultu- 
ral products sent to market in lS3(j, 
amounted to $22,340. There were 
in the town 1,535 cows and 1,822 
merino sheep. 

Block Island, R. I. 

See J\''eiv Shoreham. 

Bloody Brook, Mass. 

See Deerfield. 

Bloonifleld, Me. 

Somerset co. This town was in- 
corporated in 1814, and lies on Ken- 
nebec river, 33 miles N. from Au- 
gusta and 7 below Norridgewock, 
opposite to Skowhegan. Popula- 
tion, 1837, 1,053. Bloomfield is a 
fine township of land, and produced 
in 1837 5,080 bushels of wheat. 

Bloomfield, Vt. 

Essex CO. Bloomfield lies on the 
W. side of Connecticut river, and is 
also watered by branches of the 
Nulhcgan. Population, 1830, 150. 
It is about 20 miles N. from Guild- 
hall, and 60 N. E. from Montpclier. 

Bloomfield, Ct. 

Hartford co. This was formerly 
a parish in Windsor, called Winton- 
bury. It derived its name from the 
circumstance of the parish being 
formed from Windsor, Farmingtori 
and Simsbury ; the name Win-ton- 
bury being a part of the name oX 
each of those towns. It was incor- 
porated into a town in 1835. The 
inhabitants enjoy a fine soil, and cul- 
tivate it with great industry, pro- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



ducing large crops of grass and 
grain, with an abundance of choice 
fruit. It lies about six miles N. 
from Hartford. Population, about 
1,400. 

Blue Hill and Bay, Me. 

Hancock co. The town lies at 
the head of a large bay, of the same 
name, 12 miles E. from Castine, 
and 78 E. from Augusta. There 
are several large ponds in Blue Hill, 
and a hill of 960 feet in height, from 
which delightful mai-ine scenery is 
presented. Incorporated 1789. Pop- 
ulation, 1837, 1,808. The bay has 
Long and other islands inside ; and 
outside, Burntcoat, and a group of 
smaller islands. Blue Hill bay is 
connected with Penobscot bay and 
river by a passage between the 
islands and main land, of about 12 
miles. It lies about 16 miles W. 
from Frenchman's bay. 

Blue Hills. 

The first range of mountains on 
the eastern coast of New Hamp- 
shire and Maine ; and the elevated 
lands in Milton, Mass. are thus de- 
nominated, in consequence of their 
blue or cloud-like appearance, at a 
distance, on the ocean. 

Boar's Head, IV. H. 

See Hampton. 

Bolton, Vt. 

Chittenden co. Population, 1830, 
452. 17 miles S. E. from Burling- 
ton, and 17 N. W. from Montpelier. 
Incorporated, 1763. Bolton lies on 
the western side of the Green 
Mountains. Onion river passes 
through the town, on the banks of 
which most of the inhabitants re- 
side. 

Bolton, Mass. 

A good farming town in the coun- 
ty of Worcester, 31 miles W. by N. 
from Boston, and 15 N. N. E. from 
Worcester. Incorporated, 1738. 
Population, 1837, 1,185. Itlies be- 



tween Concord and Nashua rivers. 
Here are good limestone, and small 
manufactures of boots, shoes, leath- 
er and combs. 

Bolton, Ct. 

Tolland co. This town lies 14 
miles E. from Hartford, and 10 mile.« 
S, by W. from Tolland. Popula- 
tion, 1830, 744. The soil is a coarse, 
hard, gravelly loam, fit only for 
grazing. It is within the granite 
region of the eastern section of the 
state. The Bolton Stone Quarry is 
quite noted. " The stone is a spe- 
cies of slate, of a brilliant light 
gray color, composed of mica and 
quartz, and is excellent for flagging 
and other purposes. It is extensive- 
ly used in the principal cities of the 
United States. For strength it ex- 
ceeds any otiier knownin this coun- 
try, and the demand for it is rapidly 
increasing." The supply is inex- 
haustible. 

Boon Island, Me., 

A ledge of rocks, with a light- 
house thereon ; about 9 miles E. 
from Kittery. Near this island the 
steamljoat New England, on her 
passage from Boston to Gardiner, 
met a fatal disaster, by coming in 
contact with a loaded coaster, on the 
night of the 31st of May, 1838, by 
which many valuable lives were 
jeopardized. 

Bootlibay, Mc. 

Lincoln co. This town is bound- 
ed W. by the mouth of Sheepscot 
river, N. by Edgecomb, E. by 
Damariscotta river, and S. by the 
ocean. It is nearly surrounded by 
water, and is noted for its excellent 
harbor. Its maritime situation ren- 
ders it a place of considerable busi- 
ness in the coasting trade and fish- 
eries. This town lies 39 miles S. S. 
E. from Augusta, 12 E. N. E. from 
Wiscasset, 60 E. N. E. from Port- 
land, and about 40 miles S. W. by 
W. from Owl's Head, by water. 
Boothbay is a fine watering place. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



and mnny visit it, in summer months, 
for healtli or pleasure. Here may 
be found all the enjoyments of sea 
air and bathing ; fishing and fowl- 
ing ; ocean and island scenery; for 
which A'ahant, in JNIassachusetts 
bay, is justly celebrated. Incorpo- 
rated, 1764. Population, 1837, 2,562. 

Bosca-tven, N. H. 

Merrimack co. Boscawen is sit- 
uated between Concord and Salis- 
bury, on the W. side of Merrimack 
river. Boscawen is 8 miles N. W. 
from Concord. Besides the Merri- 
mack, the west part of this town is 
watered by Blackwater river, run- 
ning nearly parallel with the for- 
mer, through the whole extent of 
the town, and about five miles dis- 
tant from it. It is not a large stream, 
but very important, both on account 
of the fertile fields of champaign 
on its borders, and the numerous wa- 
ter privileges it affords. There are 
two ponds of some note. Great pond, 
near the centre of the town, Long 
pond, in the west part, and mill scats 
at the outlet of each. Boscawen is 
of a deep, productive soil, affording 
many excellent farms delightfully 
situated. The surface, when view- 
ed from its highest parts, appears 
uncommonly level. From the nu- 
merous streams of living water, and 
from the peculiar direction of the 
swells of the hills, this town prob- 
ably derives that pure air and uni- 
form temperature which are so con- 
ducive to health. The principal 
village is in the east section of the 
town. It is situated on a spacious 
street nearly two miles in length, 
very straight and level. Here the 



eye of the traveller is attracted and 
delighted by the fertile intervales 
and windings of the river Merri- 
mack. There is another village on 
a pleasant eminence near the west 
meeting house. Boscawen was 
granted by Massachusetts in 1733. 
The proprietors gave to it the name 
of Contuocook, after the Indian 
name of the river. It received its 
present name when it was incorpo- 
rated, April 22, 1760, from Edward 
Boscawen, a celebrated English ad- 
miral then on the American station. 
The first settlement commenced 
early in the season of 1734. Abi- 
gail Danforth was the first child 
born in the town. The Indians 
made frequent predatory incursions 
on the inhabitants. See Duston's 
Island. 

Among the deceased citizens of 
this place entitled to respectful no- 
tice, are, George Jackman, Esq., 
the first town clerk, who continued 
in office 36 years. He was appoint- 
ed a justice of the peace under 
Geo. II. and continued in that office 
during all successive changes down 
to 1318. 

Rev. Samuel Wood, D. D., for 
more than half a century the min- 
ister of Boscawen, was distinguish- 
ed for his learning and piety. 

Hon. Ezekiel Webster, a native 
of Salisbury, resided here many 
years. He was an eminent barris- 
ter at law, of extraordinary talents, 
and great private worth. He died 
in tlie court house, at Concord, 
April 10, 1829, aged 49, beloved 
and lamented by all who knew his 
character. Population, 1830, 2,093. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



MORTON. 

County of Suffolk. The ancient city of Boston, the capital of Mas- 
sachusetts, and of New England, and the birth place of American Free- 
dom, is naturally divided into three sections — Old Boston, South Boston, 
and East Boston, situated at the western extremity of Massachusetts 
Bay. The peninsula on which Old Boston is built, extends from Roxbu- 
ry, on the south, to Winnesimet Ferry, on the north, and is nearly sur- 
rounded by the waters of Boston harbor on the east, and Charles river 
on the north and west. Its length is nearly three miles, and its average 
breadth about one mile. It originally contained about 700 acres, but its 
territory has been greatly extended, by filling up around its borders. Its 
surface is quite uneven. It has numerous eminences, rising from 50 to 
110 feet above the sea, affording admirable sites for building, and giving 
to it a peculiarly romantic appearance. It is in north Lat. 42° 21' 23" 
and west Lon. 71° 4' 9". It lies 16.3 miles S. S. W. from Augusta, Me. ; 
63 S. S. E. from Concord, N. H. ; 160 S. E. by S. from Montpelier, Vt. ; 
158 E. (19' S.) from Albany, N. Y. ; 40 N. N. E. from Providence, R. I. ; 
97 E. N. E. from Hartford, Ct. ; 207 N. E. by E. from New York, and 
432 miles N. E. by E. from Washington. Its Indian name was Shatv- 
mut. It was called by the first settlers Tramount, Treinont, or Tri- 
mountain, from three hills nearly in its centre. It took its present name 
on the 7th of Sept., 1630, in honor of the Rev. John Cotton, second min- 
ister of the first church, who came from Boston, in England. The orig- 
inal proprietor of this territory was John Blackstone, who, soon after its 
settlement by Winthrop and others, removed to Rhode Island. Boston 
was incorporated as a city, February 23, 1822. 

South Boston. 

This part of Boston was set off from Dorchester, by legislative enact- 
ment, March the 6th, 1804. It is bounded south by Dorchester Bay, 
and spreads about two miles on the south side of the harbor, above the 
forts. It contains about 600 acres, and is laid out into regular streets and 
squares. The surface of this part of Boston is exceedingly picturesque. 
In about the centre of this tract, and about two miles from the City Hall, 
the memorable " Dorchester Heights" rear their heads 130 feet above 
the sea, from which is presented a splendid view of Boston, its harbor, 
and the surrounding country. It is connected with Old Boston by two 
bridges. This part of Boston is rapidly increasing in population and 
wealth. The Washington House, near the " Heights," is a noble 
building, and a delightful residence. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 

East Boston. 

This section of the city, until recently, had been called jS'oddle's Isl- 
and. It lies about 660 yards N. E. from Old Boston, and about the same 
distance from Charlestown. It is divided from Chelsea by Chelsea Creek, 
600 feet wide, over which is a bridge, and from which is an excellent 
road to the Salem turnpike. The Eastern rail-road, to Salem, Newbu- 
ryport, &c., commences at East Boston. The island contains about 660 
acres of land, and a large body of flats. It was purchased by a compa- 
ny of enterprizing gentlemen in 1832. They were incorporated in March, 
1833, and the tirst house was commenced in October of the same year. 
A steam-boat ferry is established between this place and Old Boston, 
starting from each side every five minutes. The time occupied in cross- 
ing is about three minutes. A ferry is about being established between 
tliis island and Charlestown. The surface of the island is pleasingly va- 
riegated, and aflbrds delightful sites for dwelling houses and gardens 
at moderate prices. This place is well located for manufactories of vari- 
ous kinds; particularly for ship building, and all those branches of me- 
chanics connected with navigation. 

The Maverick Hotel is a large and splendid building, occupying a 
commodious site. This house is named in honor of Samuel Maverick, 
who owned the island and resided there in 1630, and who is said to have 
made " some figure in the history of after times — a man of very loving 
and courteous behavior, and very ready to entertain strangers." 

Boston Harbor, 

Extends across Light House Channel and Broad Sound, from Pcir.t Al- 
derton on Nantasket, to Point Shirley in Chelsea, a distance, between the 
islands, of about 4 miles. It is safe, and of ample capacity for the larg- 
est navy. The most important part of this harbor is entered by a narrow 
pass, between two and three miles below the city and Navy Yard ; and is 
well protected by two powerful forts — Independence and Warren. The 
outer harbor, below these forts, will shortly be protected by a very pow- 
erful fortress now erecting on George's Island, at a great expense, by the 
government of the United States. Boston harbor contains many islands 
of great beauty, and is the reservoir of the Afystic, Charles-, J\'eponset, 
Manatiquot and other rivers. Its borders are environed by the towns 
of Hull, Hingham, Weymouth, Braintree, Quincy, Dorchester, Roxbu- 
ry, Brookline, Cambridge, Charlestown, and Chelsea; and the numerous 
small bays, coves and inlets, indenting their shores, give great variety, 
and add much to the scenery of this delightful harbor. 

Owing to the almost insular situation of Boston, and its limited extent, 
its population appears small. But it must be considered that the neigh- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 

boring towns of Quincy, Dorchester, Milton, Roxl)ury, Brookline, Brigh- 
ton, Watei'town, Cambridge, Charlestown, Medford, Maiden, and Chel- 
sea, although not included in the city charter, are component parts of the 
city, and are as much associated with it in all its commercial, manufac- 
turing, literary, and social relations and feelings, as Greenwich, Man- 
hattanville, and Harlem are with the city of New York; or Southwark 
and the Northern Liberties with Philadelphia. 

The population of Boston in 1700, was 7,000—1722, 10,567—1765, 
15,520—1790, 18,038—1800, 24,937—1810, 33,250-1820, 43,298—1830, 
61,391, and in 1837, 80,325. 

Avenues. 

The peninsular situation of Boston requires many artificial avenues to 
and from the surrounding country. Until 1786, the " Neck," between 
Boston and Roxbury, one mile and 117 feet in length, was the only pas- 
sage to it by land. On the 17th June, of that year, the Charles River 
Bridge, leading from Boston to Charlestown, was opened for travel. It 
was incorporated, March 9, 1785. This bridge is 1,503 feet in length, 42 
in breadth, and cost $50,000. Net revenue in 1834, $9,383. This 
bridge by its charter becomes state property in 1856. 

West Boston Bridge, leading to Cambridge, was opened on the 23d 
of November, 1793. It was incorporated March 9, 1792. Length of 
the bridge, 2,758 feet -abutment and causeway, 3,432 — total length, 
6,190 feet. Cost, $76,6o~. Net revenue in 1834, $12,923. This > ridge 
will become state property in 1879. 

South Boston ^ridge, leading from Boston Neck to South Boston, was 
iricGrpcr:^ted March 6, 1804, and opened for travel in July, 1805, Length, 
1,550 feet — width, 40. It cost the proprietors about $50,000. It is now 
city property — free. 

Canal Bridge, from Boston to Lechmere Point, in East Cambridge, 
was incorporated February 27, 1807, and opened for travel in August, 
1809. Length, 2,796 feet— width, 40. A lateral bridge extends from 
this to Prison Point, Charlestown. Length, 1,820 — width, 35 feet. 
Net receipts in 1834, $3,173. This bridge will become state property in 
1879. 

The Western Avenue, leading from Beacon street to SewelVs Point, 
in Brookline, was incorporated June 14, 1814, and commenced in 1818. 
It was opened for travel, July 2, 1821. This avenue is a substantial dam 
across Charles river bay, about a mile and a half in length, and from 60 
to 100 feet in width. This dam encloses about 600 acres of flats, over 
which the tide formerly flowed from 7 to 10 feet. A partition dam di- 
vides this enclosure, and forms, by the aid of flood and ebb gates, a full 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 

and receiving basin ; thereby producing, at all times, a great hydraulic 
power. The cross dam also forms an excellent avenue from the main 
dam to Roxbury. Cost, about $700,000. Net receipts in 1834, $6,133. 
The proprietors of this avenue claim a perpetual franchise. 

Boston Free Bridge, from Sea street to South Boston. Incorporated, 
March 4, 1S26— completed, 1828. Length, .'500— width, 38 feet. Built 
by proprietors of lands in the vicinity. City property. 

Warren Bridge, leading to Charlestown. Length, 1,390 feet — width, 
44. Incorporated March 12, 1828, and opened on the December follow- 
ing. It is now state property. The net receipts of this bridge in 1834, 
were ,f 16,427. 

All the above avenuas are lighted with lamps, when necessary, and 
make a beautiful appearance. 

Public Buildings. 

Some of those of the most prominent character only can be mentioned. 

The City Hall, or '•' the Old State House," on State and Washington 
streets, now occupied by the city government, Post-OtRce, Reading-Room, 
&c., is 110 feet in length, 38 in breadth, and 3 stories high. Two build- 
ings on this spot have been destroyed by lire. The first was built in 1659, 
the second in 1714, and the present in 1748. Until the erection of the 
present State House, this building had ever been used for governmental 
purposes, both colonial and state. 

Faneuil Hall, or the " Cradle of Liberty," in Dock Square, is three 
stories high, 100 feet by 80, and was the gift of Peter Faneuil, Esq. to 
the town, in 1742. The building was enlarged in 1805, and until the 
new Market was btiilt the lower part of it was used for meat stalls. It is 
now improved for stores. The Hall is 76 tect square, 28 feet high, and 
has deep galleiies on three sides. It is adorned with superb paintings of 
patriots, warriors and statesmen. Tlie tliird stoi'y is improved for armo- 
ries. 

State House. This building is on an open square, on Beacon-street, 
fronting the malls and common. Its foundation is 110 feet above the lev- 
el of the sea. It was commenced in 1795, and completed and occupied 
in 1793. Cost, $133,-333. Length, 173 feet— breadth, 61. On the area 
of the lower hall stands the beautiful Statue of ]Vasliington, by Chan- 
try. From the top of the dome on this building, 52 feet in diameter, and 
230 feet above the level of the harbor, the whole city appears beneath, 
with all its crooked streets, its extended avenues, its splendid buildings, 
and the malls and common, crossed with romantic walks, and shaded by 
centurian elms. On the north and west the county of ]\Iiddlesex pre- 
sents its numerous villas, and a rich array of agricultural taste and beau- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 

ty. Here are viewed the hallowed halls of Harvard, and the sacred 
field of Bunker. On the south the county of Norfolk appears, with its 
granite hills and luxuriant vales, chequered with a thousand farm houses, 
cottages, and splendid mansions. On the east, the city, with its lofty 
spires, the harbor and the ocean, all conspire to render this the most en- 
chanting scene west of the Bay of Naples. 

The Massachusetts Hospital is on an open plot of ground of 4 acres, 
at the western part of the city, on the banks of Charles river. It is 168 
feet in length, and 54 in breadth. Commenced in ISIS, completed in 
1821. This building is of granite, and is a beautiful monument of taste 
and beneficence. 

Faneuil Hall Market. The corner stone of this superb granite 
building was laid on the 27th of April 1825, and completed in 1827. Cost, 
$150,000, exclusive of land. It extends east of Faneuil Hall, on Dock 
square, 536 feet, and is 50 feet in width. The centre part of the build- 
ing, 74 by 55, projects two or three feet on the north and south, and rises 
77 feet from the ground, to a beautiful dome. The wings are 31 feet, 
and two stories high. The lower floor is exclusively appropriated as a 
meat, fish and vegetable market. The upper story is one vast hall, ar- 
ranged to be divided into compartments for ware-rooms and large sales. 
On the sides of this building are JVorth Market street, 65, and South 
Market street, 102 feet in width ; on each of which is a range of spa- 
cious ware-houses, with granite fronts. On the east, across Commercial 
street, is a commodious Avharf, belonging to the city. The hall, in the 
centre of the building is called Quincy Hall, in honor of Josiah Quincy, 
L.L. D., the late indefatigable mayor of the city, and now president of 
Harvard University. 

Tremont House. This superb hotel, on Tremont and Beacon streets, 
was commenced on the 4th of July, 1828, and completed 16th of October, 
1829. Its granite front on Tremont street is 160 feet, and 3 stories high. 
The wings are four stories high ; that on Beacon street is 84 by 34 feet ; 
and that on the south, fronting an open square, is 110 by 40 feet. This 
building contains 180 rooms. The dining hall is 70 by 31, and 14 feet 
high. Cost, $68,000, without the land. 

JVew) Court House. The corner stone of this building, in Court 
square, between Court and School streets, for the accomm-odation of all 
the courts of law for the county, city, and the United States, offices of 
record, &c., was laid Sept. 28, 1833. It is of cut, or hewn granite, from 
the Quincy quarry. Its length is 175 feet 10 inches; — width, 53 feet 
10 inches, and height 57 feet 3 inches. A portico of nearly the same 
model of the Doric portico at Athens, adorns its north and south fronts. 
There are four columns of fluted gi-anite at each of these porticos, mea3- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 

uring 25 feet 4 inches in length, and 4 feet 5 inches in diameter. They 
weigh 25 tons each. The interior contains four court rooms, 50 feet by 
40, and large and commodious offices for all the respective departments. 
Houses of Industry, Correction, and Reformation. These houses are 
deli<;litfully situated on a plot of ground of about 61 acres, situated at 
South Boston, on the margin of the harbor, and near the brow of Dor- 
chester Heights. 

Trinity Church, in Summer street, St. PauVs Church and the Ma- 
sonic Temple, in Tremont street, the Washington Bank, in Washing- 
ton street, the granite building lately erected by the Suffolk Bank, the 
United Stales Bank, in State street, and the Steeple of Park street 
Church, arc some of the best specimens of archifecture in Boston. 
Schools and Institutions. 

The first settlers of New England were exceedingly tenacious of their 
civil and religious rights, and they well knew that knowledge was an 
all-powerful engine to preserve those rights, and transmit them to their 
posteiity. They tliercfore very early laid the foundation of those free 
schools, of which all the sons and dauglitcrs of New England ai'c justly 
proud. Exclusive of Infant and Sabbath school scholars, about a quar- 
ter part of the population of Boston is kept at school throughout the 
year, at an annual expense of about ^200,000. Boston is not only cele- 
brated for its schools, but for its munificent donations in support of its 
institutions for moral, religious, and literary purposes. Since the year 
ISOO, not less than two millions of dollars have thus been appropriated 
by the citizens of Boston. 

New Ensclnud Institution for the Education of the Blind. 

This Institution was incorporated in lS2f); but, liltle was accomplished 
until 1832, when Dr. Howe returned from Europe accompanied by a 
blind teacher; manifesting that zeal in the cause of the blind which had 
distinguished his philanthropic labors, in another sphere, in a distant 
land. He opened a school with six blind young scholars. The progress 
of those children was so great, and the value of an Institution of ths 
kind so apparent, that legislatures and citizens, generally, became 
much interested. By public and private donations, particularly by the 
influence of ladies in several parts of New England, and by the munifi- 
cent gift of a splendid building in Pcarkstreet, by the Hon. Thomas H. 
Perkins, the Institution has increased, both in reputation and funds, with 
unparalleled success. The scholars are instructed in all those branches 
common in other schools, and some of them in the higher branches of 
literature. Music is the study of all. Mechanical labors are taught 
and enjoyed by llic pupils. ^lusical instruments of all kinds, and other 
o 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEEU. 

implements are provided for their convenience and use. A printing 
press is established, and several books have been printed in embossed 
letters, which are superior to any in Europe. It is exceedingly delight- 
ful to see these interesting youth, whose lives once seemed a dreary 
waste, and to witness their improvement in acquiring useful knowledge, 
partaking of all those recreations, natural and proper for their age, sex, 
and condition, and fitting themselves for useful stations in society. The 
Institution is managed by a board of trustees, and is patronized by the 
governments of all the New England States, 

Eye and Ear Infirmary. 

This Institution was commenced in Boston, by Drs. Jeffries and Rey- 
nolds, in 1824, from a conviction of its utility and importance, derived 
from what they had seen and known of similar establishments in Europe. 
Those gentlemen conducted the establishment at their own expense for 
some time, during which large numbers received the most important 
benefits. In 1827, by the philanthropic exertions of those, and other 
gentlemen, an act of incorporation was obtained, and some funds were 
raised. As early as 1828, 2,610 cases were treated at the Infirmary, of 
which about five-sixths were cured. Of these cases about one-sixth 
were for diseases of the ear. Since that time the number of applicants 
has increased annually ; and this Institution, whose merits are not sur- 
passed by any other in the city, has now a beautiful and commodious 
building in Bowdoin square for the reception of patients. 

Theatres. 

The Boston Tlieafre, on Federal and Franklin streets, was first open- 
ed February 3, 1794. It was burnt, February 2, 1798 ; it was re-built, 
and re-opened on the 29th of October, the same year. It is of brick, 152 
feet long, 61 wide, and 40 high. This building is now denominated 
" The Odeon," and is consecrated to the worship of God. A huge wood- 
en building was erected on Tremont street, and opened as the " Hay- 
Market Theatre," December 26, 1796. The citizens in its neighbor- 
hood being fearful of its conflagration, caused its demolition, by subscrip- 
tion, and the block of elegant brick dwelling-houses, near, and north of 
Boylston street, now occupy the spot. 

The Tremont Theatre, on Tremont street, is a very neat building, 
with a granite front 135 feet by 79. It was commenced in July, and 
opened September 24, 1827. Cost, about $120,000. 

The J\"ational Theatre, at the junction of Portland and Traverse 
streets, near the Warren bridge, was constructed in 1831. This build- 
ing was first used for equestrian performances. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 

Bostou Common. 

This is considered one of the most delightful promenades in the world. 
It comprises about 75 acres of land, of variegated surface, beautifully 
shaded by trees of various kinds, particularly in the malls, or walks 
which surround it. Some of those trees were planted more than a Viun- 
dred years ago. The malls are wide, beveled, graveled, and smooth; 
the waters of Charles river, and the romantic scenery beyond it, are in 
prospect. The whole is enclosed by an iron fence, on the outside of 
which are wide streets and beautiful buildings. The distance around 
the malls and common is about a mile. This plot of ground is so held 
by the city, that it can never be appropriated to any other than its pres- 
ent healthful and pleasing purposes. 

The foundation of a large and splendid Botanic Garden was 
laid in 1837, by the subscription of funds for that purpose. It is located 
on the city lands, on the west side of the Common. This will be a 
great ornament to the city, and an honor to the taste and judgment of its 
projectors. 

Finances. 

The public debt of the city of Boston on the 1st of May, 18.37, was 
$1,497,200. The receipts, during the financial year, from the 30th of 
April, 1836, to 30th April, 1837, was $926,350— the expenditures, 
$904,065. Besides the public property in public buildings, city and other 
wharves, &c. &,c., both improved for city purposes, and rented, the city 
has about 7,000,000 square feet of land on the Neck, exclusive of streets, 
public squares, and malls, and a very large property in other lands in 
various parts of the city, which are rapidly increasing in value. The 
amount of this property cannot be stated, but it is known greatly to ex- 
ceed the city debt, exclusive of that part which is wanted for the uses 
of the city. 

Commerce. 

The citizens of Boston have ever sustained a high rank for their com- 
mercial enterprise. After whitening every sea with their canvass, and 
extending their commerce with all nations of the globe, they are now 
looking westward and northicard, and constructing new and artificial 
channels, to enable them not only to compete with other Atlantic cities 
for the already immense commerce of the western world, but to inter- 
cept it on its passage down the St. Lawrence. 

The number of vessels entered at this port the year ending September 
30, 1837, was 1,544— tonnage, 242,277 tons— crews, 11,503 :— cleared, 
1,367, tonnage, 184,373 tons — crews, 9,177. The registered, enrolled and 
licensed tonnage of this port, the same year, was 201,005 tons. A large 
amount of tonnage, owned at Boston, is registered at southern ports. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 

Commercial Accommodations. 

There is probably no place in the world better accommodated for com- 
mercial operations than Boston. The whole length of the harbor on the 
east and north is lined with about 200 docks and wharves. A few of 
them only can be noticed, 

India Wliarf, at the foot of Fort Hill, was constructed in 1805. It 
extends into the harbor 980 feet, and is 246 to 2S0 feet in width. In the 
centre is a range of 39 stores, 22 by SO, and 4 stories in height. 

Central Wharf, between India and Long wharves, was built in 1816. 
In the centre are .54 ware-houses, 23 by 50, 4 stories high. It is 1,379 
feet in length, and 150 in width. Over a spacious hall in the centre of 
this range of stores, is one of the best observatories in the United States. 

North of this is Long Wharf, at the foot of State street, commenced 
in 1710. This wharf extends into the harbor 1,800 feet, is 200 feet ia 
width, and has 76 spacious ware-houses. About the centre of th.s wharf 
is a well of fresh water, 90 feet in depth. 

Passing the City wharf on the north, we come to Commercial Mliarf, 
1,100 feet in length, and 160 in width. On the centre of this wharf is 
a range of 34 granite ware-houses, 25 by 60 feet, and are unequalled by 
any thing of the kind in the United States for convenience or grandeur. 
Cost, $500,000. 

On the west, and in front of this tier of wharves, which run into the 
harbor nearly parallel to each other, are India and Conunercial streets, 
having the east end of Faneuil Hall Market nearly in the centre. These 
streets are wide ; they serve as wharves, and their west sides are cover- 
ed with large and convenient stores. It is contemplated to extend India 
street, on the south, to the Free Bridge on Sea street ; and Commercial 
street, on the north, to Winnesimet Ferry. (See Hale's Map of Boston.) 

The Marine Railways, established in 1826, at the north part of the 
city, afford great accommodations to those engaged in navigation. A 
new and splendid Custom House is now erecting on India street, between 
Long and Central wharves. An Exchange, for the accommodation of 
merchants, and a new City Hall, are contemplated. 
Maimfactures. 

Although Boston has never been considered a manufacturing city, 
yet, since the general peace in Europe, in 1815, and the passage of the 
present tariff laws, in 1S33, its manufacturing interests have considerably 
increased. 

The following are the manufactures of Boston for the year ending 
April 1, 1837, with the value of each, the number of hands employed, 
and the amount of capital invested, so far as can be ascertained. 

It may be proper to observe, that the following account is doubtless 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



accurate, as far it extends, but it is known that in some towns in Massa- 
chusetts the whole amount of their manufactures has not been stated by 
the assessors. 



ARTICLES. 


\'alue. 1 


Hands euiploy'd 
Males. iFemales. 


Capital In- 
vested. 


Boots and Shoes, 


$Ut2,(i41 


304 


55 




Leather, 


228,000 


50 




.$60,000 


Hats, 


194,673 


95 


68 




Iron Castings, 


372,000 


2S9 




665,000 


Axes, 


7,500 


8 




2,000 


Glass, 


4S,000 


77 




47,000 


Chairs and Cabinet Ware, 


148,100 


164 






Combs, 


41,000 


25 


16 


121,000 


Tin Ware, 


112,032 


116 






Spirits, 


92(),S56 


19 






Straw Bonnets, 


1S2.450 




438 




Vessels, (average for 5 years,) 


124,400 


17 






Axletrees, 


10,000 


6 




6,000 


Beer, 


12,000 


s 




30,000 


Soap and Candles, 


93,000 


29 




125,000 


Whale Oil, 


135,000 


16 




100,000 


Copper and Brass, 


756,754 


200 




316,300 


Organs and Piano-fortes, 


302,700 


220 




163,500 


Brushes, 


93,000 


79 


59 


38,000 


Gold and Silver Leaf, 


43,000 


22 


14 


11,200 


Carriages and Harnesses, 


318,805 


298 




82,200 


Refined Sugar, 


976,454 


92 




303,633 


Silver Ware and Jewelry, 


228,100 


88 




111,050 


Chain Cables, 


60,000 


20 




75,000 


Umbrellas, 


65,000 


37 


26 


36,.50O 


Saddles, Trunks and Whips, 


177,000 


120 


17 


83,000 


Granite, Marble, &c. 


336,000 


400 




165,500 


Machinery, 


326,000 


287 




183,775 


Blank Books and Stationary, 


78,000 


43 


7 


49,000 


Gas, 


100,000 


40 




375,000 


Looking Glasses and Frames, 


147,500 


42 




55,600 


Lasts, 


40,000 


29 




18,000 


Neck Stocks, &c. 


122,000 


21 


435 


58,200 


Types and Stereotypes, 


157,000 


185 


30 


140,000 


Printed Books, 


925,000 


500 


400 


850,000 


Clothing, 


1,887,666 


542 


2402 


769,094 


Hard Ware, 


40,000 


29 




18,000 


Baskets, &c. 


93,000 


138 

4,655 


3,967 


38,000 


Totals, 


$10,010,631 





Fisheries. 

The city of Boston is so limited, in regard to territory, as to he exclud- 
ed, in a great measure, from participating in the fisheries. Much capi- 
taA of the Bostonians is, however, invested, at the out ports, in this im- 
portant branch of the resources of the wealth of New England. During 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 

the year ending April 1, 1837, there were belonging to this city four ves- 
sels engaged in the whale fishery, and 152 in the cod and mackerel fish- 
eries, employing 1,919 hands. Total tonnage, 11,253 tons. Total pro- 
ceeds, $824,898. Capital employed, $748,200. 
Health. 
To judge of the health of a city we must compare its bills of mortality, 
for a series of years, with those of some other city. We have ever believed 
that the climate of Boston, and of New England generally, was as con- 
ductive to health as any portion of our country; but having heard it 
often asserted that the climate of Boston was moi-e favorable to some 
diseases, particularly those of a pulmonary character, or what is com- 
monly called consumption, than that of our sister city New York, we 
have examined with great care the authenticated bills of mortality of 
each city for five successive years, (1830 — 1834, inclusive.) The popu- 
lation of Boston, in 1830, was 61,391— of New York, 202,589— a frac- 
tion less than 3 1-3 in New York to 1 in Boston. From 1820 to 1830, the 
average increase of the population of Boston was a fraction less than 4 
per cent, per annum — that of New York a fraction less than 6 1-3 per 
cent, per annum. The aggregate number of deaths in Boston during those 
five years, was 7,340 — New York, 35,087 : — a fraction more than 4 2-3 in 
New York to 1 in Boston. In that period, the aggregate number of deaths 
in Boston, by consumption, was 1,128 — in New York 6,124: — more 
than 5 1-3 in New York to 1 in Boston. 

Fires. 

Boston, in common with all large towns which are chiefly built of 
wood, has suffered very much by fire. Fifty years ago the buildings in 
the town were principally of that material ; but by efficient measures 
adopted by the citizens, particularly the law of 1803, prohibiting the con- 
struction of wooden buildings of a greater height than 10 feet, a large por- 
tion of the old buildings have been taken down, and their places, with 
thousands of others on new sites, now present to that destructive element 
solid walls of brick and stone. A few of the most memorable fires are 
here given. In October 1711, a fire broke out in Williams' Court and 
destroyed most of the buildings on both sides of Cornhill, now Washing- 
ton street, from School street to Market square. On the 20th of March 
1760, 174 dwelling-houses, 175 ware-houses, shops, &c. were burnt. 
This fire was in the centre of the town, (Cornhill, State and Congress 
streets to Fort Hill,) and the amount of property consumed, was estimated 
at £100,000 sterling. April 24, 1787, a fire commenced in Beach street, 
and extending south, destroyed about 60 dwelling-houses, 40 other build- 
ings, and the church in Hollis street. July 30, 1794. Seven rope-walks, 
between Pearl and Atkinson streets, and about 90 other buildings in that 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 

neighborhood were destroyed. Loss estimated at more than $200,000. 

Ou the 3d of November, 1818, the Boston Exchange Coffee-House, 
in Congress-square, was destroyed by fire. This building covered 12,- 
753 feet of land. It was 7 stories high, and from the floor to the top of 
the dome was 83 feet. It contained 210 apartments, and cost about half 
a million of dollars. The conflagration occurred in the evening, and the 
sight was awfully sublime. 

On the 7th of July, 1S21, at noon, (the wind blowing almost a gale,) 
15 costly dwelling-houses were burnt, on Beacon, Charles and Chesnut 
streets. 

A very destructive fire commenced on Doane street, A.pril 7th, 1824, 
when 53 large ware-houses, in that part of the city, with a great amount 
of merchandize, were destroyed. 

A number of buildings, containing about 35 lawyers' offices, and 20 
stores and shops, on Court street, were burnt, Nov. 10, 1825. 

During five years, 1830 — 1834, inclusive, there were 226 fires — the 
amount of property destroyed was !*!274,278 : — of which .^140,943 was 
insured. The most destructive fires were in 1833. In that year 71 fires 
occurred, $89,970 value of property was destroyed, of which $57,040 
was insured. 

The present Fire Department was organized in 1826. It is always in 
the most perfect state of preparation for service. Attached to this de- 
partment are 24 engines, and 16,000 feet of hose. By the most powerful 
of these engines, with 250 feet of hose, water can be thrown over the 
grasshopper, on the cupola of Faneuil Hall, 84 feet above the pavement. 

Water. 

The subject of pure water for all the various uses of life has ever been 
one of the first and most important considerations with settlers in all coun- 
tries. It frequently happens that those places most suitable for com- 
merce are the least favorable to the ready acquirement of that indispens- 
able element; consequently the ingenuity and skill of man have devised 
and executed those stupendous aqueducts, and tanks or reservoirs, both in 
ancient and modern times, which have made some of the most desolate 
parts of the globe the greatest marts of trade and most splendid cities. 
Governor Winthrop and his associates located themselves at Charlestown, 
and would have continued there had not the waters of Shawmut been 
more agreable to their tastes. Their change of situation, on that account, 
is no compliment to their chemical knowledge, for the waters of Charles- 
town are decidedly the best. Possibly " the magic of a name" might have 
influenced them ; for Shawmut, in the Indian language, is said to mean 
" springs of living waters." 

The city council, in 1834, took the long neglected subject of introduc- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 

ing soft and pure -vater iii*o the city, into consideration. By analyses of 
the waters of Boston, one of the best wells in the city was found to contain 
3.6 grains of the salts of sulphate of lime, muriate of soda and muriate ol 
lime, to the pound of water. The well is 30 feet deep, and is situate high 
on the side of a hill. Some wells were found to contain 7.5 grains of the 
above salts, and many others a much greater quantity of noxious matter. 
An able en^i'ieer stated that in October 1834, there were 2,767 wells in 
the city; of which number 2,085 were drinkable, and 682 bad; and that 
only 7 of the whole number were occasionally used for washing. The 
engineer also stated that " all the dug or Artesian wells of Boston, are 
in strata of different materials in very irregular position, so that whatever 
may be the success in making one well, no certain result can be predica- 
ted upon another trial at a short distance from the first. The wells in 
town are polluted by the dirty water at the surface being absorbed, set- 
tling and mingling with the veins below ; or are adulterated by mixture 
with little streams of sea-water." 

The Boston Aqueduct Corporation commenced operations for convey- 
ing water into the city from Jamaica pond, in Roxbury, in 1795. The 
distance from Boston to the pond is four miles, and the number of feet of 
logs laid in the city is 72,000, or about 18 miles. The greatest quantity 
of water that can be supplied from this source is 50,000 gallons daily, and 
the greatest height it can be raised in the city is 49 feet above tide-water. 
According to the estimates of the quantity of water used in London and 
Philadelphia, about 28 gallons daily would be required for every person 
in the city. This includes all that is commonly used for stables, wash- 
ing streets, the extinguishment of fires, for manufacturing, and all other 
purposes. The quantity of water necessary for the present population 
is therefore about 2,500,000 gallons, daily. Spot pond in Stoneham, 8 
miles from the city ; Mystic pond in Charlestown and Medford, 7 miles ; 
Long pond, in Natick, 16 miles ; or the waters of Charles river, taken at 
Watertown, 7 miles from the city, would almost inundate the misnamed 
Shawmut with soft and pure water, at an expense of about a million of 
dollars. Philadelphia, by lier incomparable water works, has added a 
lustre to her bright name ; New York is following her noble example, 
by bringing the Croton river, 45 miles, to the centi-e of the city, at an 
expense of five millions of dollars ; and Boston cannot much longer re- 
main insensible of the value of pure water, to the health and comfort of 
its people. 

Antiquities. 

Boston was described by Johnson in his " Wonder Working Provi- 
dence," about the year 1663, in the following words: — 

" Invii-oned it is with brinish floods, saving one small Istmos, which 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 

gives free access to the neighboring towns by land, on the south side, on 
the northwest and northeast. Two constant fairs aie kejjt tor daily 
traliquc thereunto. The form of this town is like a heart, naturally sit- 
uated for fortifications, liaving two hills on the frontier part there )f next 
the sea, the one well fortified on the superlicies thereof, with store of 
great artillery well mounted. The other hath a very strong battery built 
of whole timber, and filled with earth; at the descent of the hill, in the 
extreme poynt thereof betwixt these two strong arms lies a cove or bay, 
on which the chief part of this town is built, overtopped with a third 
hill ; all these like overtopping towers, keep a constant watch to see the 
approach of foreign dangers, being furnished with a beacon and loud 
babbling guns to give notice by their redoubled echo to all the sister 
towns. The chief edifice of this city-like town is crowded on the sea- 
banks, and wharfed out with great labour and cost ; the buildings beau- 
tiful and large, some fairly set forth with brick tile, stone and slate, and 
orderly placed with semely streets, whose continual enlargement pre- 
sageth some sumptuous city. But now behold the admirable acts of 
Christ, at this his people's landing ; the hideous thickets in this place 
were such that wolves and bears nurst up their young from the eyes of 
all beholders, in those very places where the streets are full of girls and 
boys, sporting up and down with continued concourse of people. Good 
store of shipping is here yearly built, and some very fair ones. This 
town is the very mart of the land; Dutch, French, and Portugalls come 
here to trafique." 

Present condition of Boston. 

Perhaps at no period since the settlement of Boston has its prosperity 
been so flattering as for the last seven years. It is true that Boston in- 
creased in population and wealth with great rapidity during the wars in 
Europe, from 1794 to 1807. But that growth was unnatural and contin- 
gent ; it depended solely on the caprice of the belligerent powers, who 
viewed us rather as servants to their necessities, than with respect. 

The present state of things is altogether diflerent. The world is at 
peace. We look for no besieged city to supply witli bread, neither do we 
seek to run the gauntlet of a blockading squadron to furnish a starving 
country with the growth and produce of its own colonics. We now rely 
on our own resources — agriculture, manufactures, the fisheries, and com- 
merce with all nations with whom we can exchange our commodities at 
fair prices. So long as we are blessed with union, good schools, good 
laws, and with all those moral, religious and charitable institutions, which 
tend to make mankind wiser and better, our city, under Providence, will 
continue on in the forward path to prosperity and ha|)|)iness. 

The location of Boston always gave it tlie command of a greater coast- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 

ing trade than any other port in the United States; but the great arteries 
to an immense, wide-spread and rapidly increasing interior commerce 
were never opened until the rail-roads to the north, the west, the south, 
and the east were constructed and in operation. By these devices of hu- 
man wisdom, and by the continuance of the two former — crossing the wa- 
ters of our own Connecticut to the noble Hudson, and piercing the cen- 
tfe of a large and fertile country, to the outlet of the great western 
oceans on the banks of the St. Lawrence, Boston, with its enterprize and 
wealth, located 160 miles nearer the British capital than New l^ork, can- 
not fail of sustaining a fair and successful competition for this trade with 
any city on the Aujerican continent. 

Motto of the City. 

Sicut patrihus sit Deus nobis. 

As God was with our fathers, so may he be 

WITH us. 



Kow, N. H., 

Merrimack co., was originally 
laid out nine miles square, compre- 
hending a great portion of the ter- 
ritory now constituting Pembroke 
and Concord. It is bounded N. E. 
hy Merrimack river, which divides 
it from Pembroke, S. E. by Hook- 
sett, S. W. by Dunbarton, N. W. 
by Concord and a part of Hopkin- 
ton. The soil is very uneven and 
hard, but productive when well 
managed. There is but one pond 
of any size, called Tuikey pond. 
Turkey river empties into the Mer- 
rimack at Turkey falls, near the N. 
E. part of Bow. About a mile be- 
low are Garven's falls, now passable 
by locks on Bow side. Bow canal 
is situated on the Merrimack, 3 
miles below Concord ; the perpen- 
dicular measurement around which 
it is carried is 25 feet — its length 
1-3 of a mile. It passes through 
a ledge of granite, and is for the 
most part imperishable. Its cost 
was $13,860 ; and about $2,000 of 
its first income were appropriated 
towards clearing channels through 
Turkey falls, &,c. Pop. 1830, 1,065. 



Samuel Welch, the oldest native 
citizen of New Hampshire, died in 
Bow on the 5th of April, 1823, at 
the age of 113 years. He was bora 
at Kingston, Sept. 1st, 1710, where 
he spent the early part of his life; 
he lived subsequently a while at 
Pembroke ; but for 50 years preced- 
ing his death he resided at Bow, 
in an obscure corner, and steadily 
cultivated his little farm, till the 
frosts of a century had whitened 
his locks, and the chills of a hun- 
dred winters had benumbed his 
frame. His life was marked by no 
extraordinary vicissitude — he was 
never in battle, or in any public 
service ; he was a man of industry 
and temperance. 

Bowback Moiiiitatn. 

See Stratford, JV". H. 

Botvdoiu, Me. 

Lincoln co. This agricultural 
township is bounded on the S. E. 
by Bowdoinham, and S. by Tops- 
ham. It was incorporated in 1788, 
and lies 17 miles W. from Wiscas- 
set, 37 N. N. E. from Portland, and 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



20 S. S. W. from Augusta. Popu- 
lation, 1837, 2,173. 

Bcwdoiuhaiu, Me. 

Lincola co. A pleasant town 
on the west side of Kennebec river, 
and north of Topsliani. Here is 
considerable business in the lum- 
ber trade and ship building. Twen- 
ty miles S. by W. from Augusta, 
and 12 N. from Bath. Pojjuiation, 
1S37, 2,21S. Incorporated, 17()2. 

Boxborougli, Itlass. 

Middlesex co. Incorporated, 17S3. 
Population, 1837, 433. Some shoe's, 
palm-leaf hats and straw bonnets 
are manufactured in this town, and 
large quantities of hops are grown. 
It lies 2.} miles N. W. by W. from 
Boston, and 9 W. by N. from Con- 
cord. Good lime-stone is found 
here. 

Boxford, Mass. 

Essex CO. This town lies 26 
miles N. from Boston, 13 S. W. 
from Newburyport, and 10 W. by 
N. from Ipswich. The annual 
amount of manufactures of cotton 
wicking, boots, shoes and ploughs 
is about $100,000. Population, 
1837, 964. Incorporated, 1685. 

Boylstou, Mass. 

Worcester co. Incorporated, 1786. 
Population, 1837, 821. It lies 40 
miles W. from Boston, and 8 N. by 
E. from Worcester. Boylston is 
watered by Nashua river, and has 
iron ore and a ledge of crystalized 
quartz. Here are some manufac- 
tures of combs, palm-leaf hats, 
boots and shoes ; — several ponds 
and fine tish. 

Bozrali, Ct. 

New London co. This town was 
taken from Norwicli in 178(). It 
was formerly called New Concord. 
It lies 33 miles E. S. E. from Hart- 
ford, and 5 W. from Norwich. The 
soil is a gravelly loam, rich and fer- 
tile. It is watered by Yantic river, 



on which are two pleasant and 
nourishing villages, Bozrahville 
and Fitchville, at both of which 
are manufactories for cotton. 

This town experienced a terrible 
hail storm on the 1.5lh of July, 1799, 
by which much property was lost 
and many cattle injured. The hail 
fell in immense quantities, some 
particles of which measured six 
inclies in circumference. Popula- 
tion, 1330, 1,073. 

Bradford, Me. 

Penobscot co. This town lies 
87 miles from Augusta. 4,944 bush- 
els of wheat was i-aised here in 
1837, with a population of 770. — 
See Barnard, Ale. 

Bradford, N. H. 

Merrimack co. Situated about mid- 
way between the Merrimack and 
Connecticut rivers, bounded N. by 
Newbury and Sutton, E. by Warner, 
S. by Henniker and Hillsborough, 
W. by Washington ; is 31 miles from 
Amherst, 25 Irom Concord, and 80 
from Boston. This town is watered 
by small streams, which principally 
issue from ponds, — of which the 
largest is Todd's pond, lying in 
Bi-adfordand Newbury. This pond 
is supplied with water from the 
hills and mountains in Newbury. 
In it are a number of floating 
islands, which are deemed objects 
of curiosity. Its outlet forms the 
northern branch of Warner river. 
Pleasant, or Bradford pond, is on 
the E. side of the town. It is about 
550 rods lo!ig and 150 wide. It 
communicates with Warner river 
by an outlet at the N. end of it. 
In this pond are several islands, 
which, with the rugged declivities 
on the E. hank, the waters below, 
and the cottages and cultivated 
tields on the west bank, present to 
view, in the summer season, a wild 
and variegated landscape. Many 
parts of Bradford are hilly. A large 
proportion of the town, however, 
lies in a valley, about three miles 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



in width. Near the Sunapee moun- 
tains, on the N. W., is an extensive 
plain, more than a mile Ions; and 
about half a mile wide. Tlie soil 
differs in quality. It is light, loamy 
or rough. In the easterly part are 
valuable stone quarries. Bradford 
was granted to John Peirce and 
George Jatirey, in 1765. Its first 
settlement was made in 1771, by 
Dea. William Presbury and his 
family. They were soon followed 
by several inhabitants from Brad- 
ford in Mass., from which circum- 
stance it derived its name. It was 
incorporated Sept. 27, 1787, and is 
mentioned in tlie act as including 
New Bradford, AVashington Gore, 
and part of Washington. Popula- 
tion in 1S30, 1,235. 

Bradford, Vt. 

Orange co. This town lies on 
the W. side of Connecticut river, 
25 miles S. E. from Montpelier, 7 
S. from Newbury, and 15 E. N. E. 
from Chelsea. Population, 1830, 
1,507. Bradford is a pleasant farm- 
ing town, of good soil, and is well 
watered by Wait's river. About 
4,500 sheep. 

Bradford, Mass. 

Essex CO. This is a very pleasant 
town on the south side of Merrimack 
river, and united to Haverhill by a 
bridge of 650 feet in length. The 
surface of the town is uneven and 
the soil various ; but much of the 
land is of a superior quality. Sev- 
eral of the hills exhibit beautiful 
scenery. Bradford is celebrated for 
its excellent schools and seminaries 
of learning. Here are several ponds, 
good fishing, and a pleasant stream 
of water. Some biicks are made 
here, and considerable leather tan- 
ned ; but the principal manufacture 
of the place is of boots and shoes, of 
which, during the year ending April 
1, 1837, the value of $381,748 was 
made. Total amount of manufactures 
that year,.'}!39-l,448. Hands employ- 
ed, 1,096. Incorporated, 1675. Pop- 



ulation, 1837, 2275. This town lies 
28 miles N. from Boston, 10 W. S. 
W. from Newburyport, IS N. by W. 
from Salem, and about IS miles N. 
E. from Lowell. A branch of the 
Boston and Lowell rail-road passes 
through Bradford to Haverhill. 

Bi-adley, Me. 

Penobscot co. First settled, 1796. 
Incorporated, 1835. Population, 
1837, 338. See Barnard, Me. * 

Bradley>-ale, Vt., 

An unincorporated township in 
Caledonia county, chartered in 1791, 
containing about 4000 aci-es. IVIoose 
river passes through it. It is bound- 
ed on the west by Kirby. Most of 
the land is on a mountain. It never 
had more than 21 inhabitants. 

Braiiitree, Vt. 

Orange co. This is a good farm- 
ing town, and produces considerable 
butter, cheese, beef and pork. It 
lies 21 miles S. from Montpelier, 
and 14 W. by S. from Chelsea. Pop- 
ulation, 1830, 1209. Branches of 
White river pass through the town. 

Braiutrce, Mass. 

Norfolk CO. This town formerly 
included Quincy and Randolph, and 
was first called Mount IVollaston. 
It is celebrated for the antiquity of 
its settlement, (1625) and for the 
eminent men it has produced, both 
in church and state. The surface 
of the town is variegated by hill 
and dale, presenting many delight- 
ful views of Boston, its harbor and 
the adjacent country. The soil is 
a strong gravelly loam, and very 
productive. Excellent granite 
abounds here, of which large quan- 
tities are annually quarried and 
transported ; and some of the best 
merchant ships are built of native 
white oak and cedar. The holley 
tree (Ilex aquifolium) is indigenous. 
Indications of coal have been so 
strong as to warrant an attempt at 
mining. The Manatiquot river. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



whicli rises in Randolph, after 
meandcrins; throuo;h tills town and 
receiving tiie waters of Great an<l 
Little pouds, meets the tide waters 
of Boston harbor, at Braintree land- 
ina;, on Weymouth Fore river, 11 
miles from Boston. At this place 
there is considerable trade in lum- 
ber and bread stuffs, and some navi- 
gation is employed in the coasting 
trade and fisheries. The manufac- 
tures of Braintree consist of boots, 
shoes, cotton and woolen goods, pa- 
per, leather, nails, axi's, cotton 
ginns, chocolate, carriages, gran- 
ite, straw bonnets, tin ware, and 
vessels. The value of these arti- 
cles of manufacture, for the year 
endinsj April 1, 1S37, amounted to 
$-.37I,9;{7. Tiie value of boots and 
shoes amounted to $2()2,3(>;>, and 
gave employment to S50 persons. 
The Manatiquot affords this town 
excellent mill site-s ; some of which 
lie near sliip navigation, and are 
very valuable. Braintree was in- 
corporated in 1640. It lies 10 miles 
S. by E. from Boston, and 12 S. E. 
from Dedliam. Population, 1830, 
l,7.i2; 1837, 2,237. 

Bi-aniloii, Vt. 

This is a flourishing town in Rut- 
land county, 40 miles S. W. from 
Montpeiier, 16 N. by W. from Rut- 
land, and 16 S. from Middlebury. 
It was first settled in 1775, and or- 
ganized in 1784. Population, 1830, 
1,9 iO. Brandon is finely watered 
by Otter creek, Mill ri\cr, and 
Spring pond ; on which streams arc 
good mill scats. Some of the land 
is level, witli rather a light soil, but 
that on Otter creek is the best allu- 
vial. Bog iron ore, of an excellent 
qualify, is found here ; copperas and 
marble are also found. There are 
two curious caverns in this town. 
The largest contains two apart- 
ments, each from 16 to 20 feet 
square. It is entered by descend- 
ing from the surface about 20 feet. 
They are formed of limestone. 

G 



Brauford, Ct. 

New Haven co. An uneven 
township, of strong soil, on Long 
Island Sound, about 7 miles E. from 
New Haven. Thimble islands and 
Indian islands lie within the limits 
of the town. Here are fish of va- 
rious kinds, a small stream of wa- 
ter, a harbor, and some vessels en- 
gaged in the fishery. The town 
was settled in 1644. Population, 
1830, 2,332. A beautiful pond, 
called Saltonstall's lake, lies be- 
tween Branford and East Haven. 

Brattleborougli, "Vt. 

Windham co. This town is situ- 
ated in the southeasterly quarter of 
the state and county ; is bounded 
E. by Connecticut river, S. by Ver- 
non and Guilford, W. by Marlboro', 
and N. by Dummerston. At the 
N. E. section of the town is the 
site of the once famous military 
post, Foi't Dummer, nothing of 
which is now retained but the 
name. Bummer Meadows. At 
the mouth of Whetstone brook is a 
commodious landing place for river 
craft. Brattleborough is connected 
with Hinsdale and Chesterfield by 
a handsome covered bridge, span- 
ning the Connecticut, and terminat- 
ing at its western abutment in the 
east village, where the north, tlie 
south, the east, and the west lines 
of mail stages concentrate. The 
town and vicinity are noticed for 
their salubrious air, pure water, 
and fine mountain scenery. It is 
watered on the east by the Connec- 
ticut, and is intersected by W'est 
river, WHietstone brook, and nume- 
rous smaller streams. There are 
many sites for water power on the 
larger streams, unoccupied, and in- 
viting to onterprixe. The east vil- 
lage is the general business mart 
for the surrounding towns. Of its 
own internal business and industry, 
one instance is given of niany of 
less amount. '• The Brattleboro' 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



Typographic Co." was incorporated 
Oct. 2(5, 1336. Capital, $150,000. 
The Company is extensively en- 
gaged in the manufacture of paper 
and books. Their paper mill is fur- 
nished with the best machinery, 
and is capable of turning out from 
40 to 50 reams of the largest print- 
ing paper, or from 150 to 200 reams 
of letter paper per day. Their 
printing office contains eight power 
presses. There are employed in 
the establishment from 60 to 70 
male and female operatives. So 
great are their facilities, that they 
have taken rags and manufactured 
them into paper, and printed it, on 
the same day. Probably there is no 
establishment in the country which 
combines so many facilities for car- 
rying on the book business as this. 
The Company publish a variety of 
bibles and other valuable works. 
The value of business done at this 
establishment, in 1S36, is stated to 
have amounted to $500,000. 

It is presumed that this village, 
according to its size, is second to 
none in the state for business or 
wealth. The surface of the town 
is diversified by hills, vales, and 
plains ; is of good soil, and gene- 
rally well improved. It is 12 miles 
S. E. from Newfane, 96 S. from 
Montpelier, 90 W. of Boston, and 
76 E. N. E. from Albany. Popu- 
lation, 1820, 2,017—1830, 2,141. 

Bremen, Me. 

Lincoln co. This town was for- 
merly a part of Bristol. It is bound- 
ed N. by Nobleborough, west b}- 
Bristol, south by Pemmaquid point 
in Bristol, and east by Muscongus 
island in Muscongus bay. It lies 
about 40 miles S. E. from Augusta, 
and 15 E. S. E. from Wiscasset, and 
possesses great navigable privi- 
leges. Population, 1837, 773. 

Brentwood, BT. H. 

Rockingham co. Brentwood is 
bounded E. by Exeter, N. by Ep- 
ping, W. by Poplin, and S. by 



Kingston. The soil is better adapt- 
ed to grass than grain, although 
some improvements have been 
made in its qualities. Exeter river 
passes nearly through the centre 
of the town, and there are other 
streams of less magnitude connect- 
ing with it. Pick-pocket falls, on 
Exeter river, are in this town, and 
near them are situated an exten- 
sive cotton factory, and a number 
of mills. A card factory has been 
established here, which promises 
to be of great utility ; and also an 
ii-on furnace for casting machinery. 
Quantities of iron ore have been 
found, and it was formerly worked 
with success. Vitriol, combined 
in masses with sulphur, has also 
been found here. Brentwood was 
incorporated June 26, 1742. Popu- 
lation, in 1S30, 891. 

Bi-e^ver, Me. 

Penobscot co. Brewer lies on 
the Penobscot river, opposite to the 
city of Bangor. It was taken from 
Orington in 1812. Population, in 
1837^ 1,622. It is watered by the 
Sfigeunkedunk,-on which are mills 
of -various kinds. Considerable 
quantities of lumber, haj% potatoes, 
tanners' bark and wood, are annu- 
ally exported from this town. The 
town was named in compliment to 
Col. John Brewer, one of the tirst 
settlers, from Worcester, Mass. 
The navigable privileges at this 
place are equal to those at Bangor. 

Ei-ovster, Mass. 

Barnstable co. This town was 
the Indian Sawkatucket. It was 
taken from Harwich, in 1830, and 
took its name from Elder Brewster, 
one of the first settlers of Ply- 
mouth ; a man of great learning and 
piety, who died 1644. In com- 
mon with all the towns on Cape 
Cod, a large number of ship-mas- 
ters, sailing to foreign ports, belong 
here. From three ponds in this 
town, covering about 1,000 acres, a 
1 never-failing stream of water is pro* 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



duced, on which are a cotton mill, 
canlinE; mill, machine shop and oili- 
er small mills. The value of the 
manufactures of cotton goods, hools, 
shoes, leather, axes, chairs, cabinet 
and tin wares, lampblack, Epsom 
and common salts, amounted, in one 
year, to $52,072. Product of the 
cod and mackerel fishery, §!;),050. 
Brewster lies on the north siile of 
the Cape, IG miles E. by N. from 
Barnstable, and G N. N. W. from 
Chatham. Population, 1837, 1,531. 
Here are about 1,000 sheep. 

Bridgeport, Ct. 

Fairfield co. The town of Bridge- 
port was formerly a part of Strat- 
ford, and was incorporated by its 
present name in 1821. It contains 
about 10 square miles, of a strong 
and fertile soil, under excellent cul- 
tivation. That part of Bridgeport 
where the city now stands was 
called the village of Newfield, un- 
til 1800, when it was incorporated 
as a boi'ough by its present name. 
In 1836 it became a city. This is 
one of those beautiful and flourish- 
ing places in New England, the 
pride of Yankees and the admira- 
tion of strangers. It is located on 
an elevated plain, on the west side 
of an arm of Long Island Sound, 
and commands extended views of 
Long Island and the surrounding 
country. The city is built in a style 
of great neatness and some ele- 
gance. The harbor is safe, but the 
navigation for large vessels is im- 
peded by a bar at its mouth, of 
about 13 feet draught of water at 
high tides. A large business is 
done here in the coasting trade ; 
some in foreign commerce, and 
some in the whale and other fish- 
eries. The city is watered by the 
Pequanock, affording some water 
power. There is a commodious 
bridge across the harbor, 412 yards 
in length, with a draw for the 
passage of vessels. This is an im- 
portant manufacturing city, par- 
ticularly of saddlery and carriages. 



of which a very large amount is an- 
nually made and transported. A 
rail-road from this place is in con- 
templation, to pass up the Ilousa- 
tonick river, and meet the Boston 
and Albany rail-road at West Stock- 
bridge, in Mass. The population 
of the borough of Bridgeport, in 
1830, was 1,800. The present pop- 
ulation of the city exceeds 4,000. 
Bi'idgeport lies 62 miles N. W. 
from New York, 17 S. W. fron\ 
New Haven, and 4 E. by N. from 
Fairfield. The distance from this 
place to Setauket, on Long Island, 
across the Sound, is about IS miles. 

Bridgetoii, Me., 

Cumberland co., is pleasantly 
situated on the border of Long pond, 
and near the head of navigation to 
Portland, by the Cumberland and 
Oxford canal. The distance from 
this place to Portland, by navigable 
waters, is about 50 miles. The soil 
of Bridgeton is good, ad produced 
in 1837 4,000 bushels of wheat. 
Its location afTords it great facilities 
for inland trade. Long pond is 
about 10 miles in length and 1 in 
breadth. It empties into Crooked 
river, which passes into Sebago 
pond. This town lies 74 miles S. 
W. by W. from Augusta, and 40 
N. W. from Portland, by the road. 
Population, 1837, 1,863. 

Bridge^vater, N. H. 

Grafton co. Originally part of 
New Chester; now Hill, was incor- 
porated, 1788. It is bounded N. 
by Plymouth and Hebron, on the E. 
by Pemigcwasset river, dividing it 
from part of Holderness and New 
Hampton, on the S. by Bristol, and 
on the W. by Newfound pond, 
which separates it from Alexandria. 
The soil is well adapted to graz- 
ing, and few townships in this vi- 
cinity exceed it in this respect. 
The Mayhew turnpike passes 
through the VV. part, near New- 
found pond, and the main road from 
Concord to Plymouth through the 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



E. part near Pemigewasset river. 
The first settlement was made in 
1766, by Thomas Crawford, Esq., 
when the tract comprised the whole 
of New Chester, Bridgewater, and 
Bristol. Population, in 1S30, 783. 

Bridgewater, Vt. 

Windsor co. This town is bound- 
ed E. by Woodstock, and lies 45 
miles S. from Montpelier, 17 N. 
W. from Windsor, and 60 N. E. 
from Bennington. Population, 1820, 
1,125; 1830, 2,320. The settle- 
ment of the town commenced in 
1780. In 1785 the town was or- 
ganized. There are many good 
mill seats in this town, on Water- 
queechy river, and considerable 
fine intervale lies on the borders of 
that stream. The high lands are 
good, and produce valuable crops. 
It feeds about 6,000 sheep. Here 
are found iron ore, garnets, rock 
crystal, mica slate, gneiss, lime- 
stone, quartz, and excellent soap- 
stone. In 1822, a living frog was 
taken from 26 feet below the sur- 
face of the ground, about 30 rods 
from the river. 

Bridgewater, Mass. 

Plymouth co. This township 
was formerly very large. It is now 
divided into four distinct towns. 
Not content with attaching the car- 
dinal points of the compass to the 
names of three divisions of this 
ancient and respectable town, this 
remnant of the old territory is often 
improperly called South Bridgewa- 
ter. The Indian name of this town- 
ship was J\'unketcst. Bridgewa- 
ter contains some very good land, 
and is well watered by branches of 
Taunton river. It lies 27 miles S. 
by E. from Boston, 20 S. S. W. 
from Plymouth, and 17 S. from 
Weymouth landing. Population, 
1830, 1,855; 1837, 2,092. This 
town was first settled in 1651, and 
incorporated in 1656. The settle- 
ments were nearly all destroyed by 



the Indians, in 1676. Manufactur- 
ing operations commenced here at 
an early period. Hugh Orr, an 
eminent Scotchman, carried on the 
manufacture of cannon and small 
arms during the revolutionary war. 
The present manufactures consist 
of boots, shoes, hats, paper, anchors, 
bar iron (from native ore,) iron 
castings, nails, tacks, axes, cotton 
ginns, straw bonnets, &c. The 
value of these manufactures, in 
one year, amounted to about ^250,- 
000, and gave employment to 400 
hands. 

Bridport, Vt. 

Addison co. Bridport was first 
settled in 1768, and organized as a 
town in 1785. It is bounded on the 
W. by lake Champlain, and is op- 
posite to Crown Point, in the state 
of New York. It is 12 miles W. 
by S. from Middlebury, 37 S. from 
Burlington, and 45 S. W. from 
Montpelier. Population, 1830, 1,774. 
The surface is nearly level, with 
a loamy soil and sandstone. The 
water is bad to the taste, and con- 
tains Epsom salts. It has a harbor 
on the lake, and the business of the 
town is considerable. Across the 
lake to Crown Point is about 2 
miles. A visit to the ruins of this 
ancient fortress, so renowned in the 
annals of the revolutionary war, and 
elevated 47 feet above the level of 
the lake, is a great treat to the 
contemplative traveller, or the lover 
of splendid scenery. From these 
warlike ruins to those of Ticondero- 
ga, is 15 miles, S. 

Brigliton, Me. 

This town is situated in the 
county of Somerset and bound- 
ed by Athens on the S. It was in- 
corporated in 1816, and is 120 miles 
N. N. W. from Portland, 50 N. 
from Augusta, and about 30 W. 
from Dover. Population, 1837, 
798. The same year it produced 
5,203 bushels of wheat. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



Brigliton, Vt. 

A town in Essex county. Popula- 
tion, 1830, 105. See Barnard. Me. 

Brightou, Mass. 

Middlesex co. This was former- 
ly a part of Cambridge, and called 
" Little Cambridge" until its incor- 
poration in 1S07. It lies 5 miles 
S. W. from Boston, 13 S. E. from 
Concord, 35 E. from Worcester, 8 
N. by E. from Dedham, and 13 N. 
W. by N. from Weymouth landing. 
Population, 1S30, 972 ; 1837, 1,337. 
The western and northern bounda- 
ries of this town are washed by 
Charles river. The soil is excel- 
lent and higlily cultivated, and, in 
common with all the towns in tlie 
vicinity of Boston, Brighton has be- 
come the residence of many peo- 
ple of wealth and taste, who possess 
beautiful country seats and splen- 
did gardens. Winship's garden 
is noted throughout the country for 
its nursery of fruit-trees and shrub- 
bery, and for its grand display of 
plants and flowers of every variety. 
Brighton is the largest cattle market 
in New England. Monday is the 
market day, when sellers and buyers 
meet in throngs to traffic in live 
stock, both for slaughter and domes- 
tic use. The sales in 1830 and 1837 
are here given. 

1830. ■ .Vo. Value. 

Beef cattle, 37,767, $977,990. 

Store do. 13,685, 154,564. 

Sheep, 132,697, 215,618. 

Swine, 19,639, 70,971. 



203,788, $1,419,143. 



1837. ^0. Value. 

Beef cattle, 32,664, $1,567,872. 

Store do. 16,210, 486,480. 

Sheep, 110,206, 275,515. 

Swine, 17,052, 119,364. 



176,132, $2,449,231. 



BrlmAcld, Mass. 

Hampden co. This town lies 1!) 



miles E. by N. from Springfield, 50 
W. N. W. from Providence, R. I., 
and 70 W. by S. from Boston. Pop- 
ulation, 1837, 1,599. First settled, 
1714. Incorporated, 1731. This is 
a fine farming town, with a good 
soil, and is well watered by Chick- 
opee and Quincbaugh rivers. The 
articles manufactured in this town, 
in one year, amounted to $105,262. 
The manufactures consisted of cot- 
ton goods, boots, shoes, leather, 
palm-leaf hats, chairs and cabinet 
ware. The value of wool grown, 
in one year, was $4,067. 

Bristol County, 3Ia8S. 

Taunton and JVew Bedford are 
the county towns. 

The surface of this county is 
somewhat broken, but generally 
level. Its soil in many parts is of 
an inferior quality. There are 12,- 
468 sheep. Area, 600 square miles. 
It has a maritime coast of consid- 
erable extent, and its people are ex- 
tensively engaged in navigation. 
The tonnage of the two districts 
in this county (New Bedford and 
Dighton) is 94,163 tons. This coun- 
ty gives rise to many important 
streams tliat fall into Massachusetts 
and Narraganset bays, and its wa- 
ter power is abundant in almost ev- 
ery town. It abounds in excellent 
iron ore, and in no section of our 
country, of its extent, are more ex- 
tensive manufactures of that mate- 
rial, for almost all the uses of man. 
This county is bounded N. by Nor- 
folk CO., E. by Plymouth co., S. E. 
by Buzzard's bay, and W. by the 
counties of Providence, Bristol, 
and Newport, R. I. In king Phi- 
lip's time this part of the country 
was called Pawcunriaivcutt. It 
was incorporated in l(i85. Popula- 
tion, in 1820, 40,908 ; 1830, 49,474 ; 
and in 1837, 58,132 : 97 inhabitants 
to a square mile. Value of the man- 
ufactures, for the year ending April 
1 , 1837, $7,929,479. Product of the 
fishery, .$2,188,656. The Taunton 
and Pawtucket are its chief rivers. 



NEVV^ ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



Bristol County, R. I. 

Bristol is Uie chief town. The 
territory of this smallest county in 
New England, except the county 
of Suffolk, in jVIassuchusetts, be- 
longed to the colony of Miissachu- 
setls until 1746. It is bounded on 
the N. by Biistol county, Mass., 
E. by Mount Hope bay, and S. and 
W. by the upper waters of Narra- 
ganset bay. Area, 23 square miles. 
The location of this county, on the 
beautil'ul waters of Mount Hope 
and Narraganset bays, affords it un- 
rivalled facilities for navigation. 
The soil is genei-ally a deep gravelly 
loam and very fertile, producing va- 
rious kinds of grain and fruits ; and 
has about 4,0i)0 sheep. The rocks 
are mostly granite. Bristol county 
affords some of the best scenery in 
New England, and is otherwise in- 
teresting as being, for many years, 
the residence of the brave and cruel 
Philip. Population, 1830, 5,466: 
218 inhabitants to a square mile. 

Bristol, Me. 

Lincoln CO. This town is bound- 
ed N. by Nobleborough and Bre- 
men, W. by Damariscotta river, S. 
by the sea, and E. by Muscongus 
bay. " Bristol Mills," so called, is 
the centre of the town, or the chief 
place of business. The town is 
finely watered by the Damariscotta 
and Pemmaquid, and possesses great 
hydraulic power and navigable fa- 
cilities. There are a number of 
islands in the waters around Biistol, 
which make a beautiful appearance; 
some of them are quite large, and 
inhabited. The surface of Bristol 
is not mountainous, but elevated, 
with a good soil. A number of 
square rigged vessels belong to this 
town ; about 20 sail are engaged in 
the coasting trade, and a great num- 
ber of smaller vessels are employ- 
ed in the bank and shore fisheries. 
Bristol lies 15 miles S. E. from Wis- 
casset, 60 N. E. from Portland, and 
32 S. E. from Augusta. Popula- 



tion, 1837, 2,788. This town was 
incorporated in 1763. There was 
a temporary settlement here as ear- 
ly as 1625. In an old fort, on the 
banks of the Pemmaquid, once call- 
ed William Henry, and afterwards 
Frederick George, built of stone, in 
1692, and taken by the French in 
1696, " are found grave stones of a 
very early date, and streets regu- 
larly laid out and paved, in the vi- 
cinity of the fort. On the side of 
the river, opposite to the fort, tan 
pits have been discovered, the plank 
remaining in a state of preserva- 
tion. In other places coffins have 
been dug up, which bear indubi- 
table evidence of a remote antiqui- 
ty." "A considerable portion of 
the inhabitants of Bristol are of 
Irish extraction, a small part of 
Scotch, a few of German and Eng- 
lish. The predominant character- 
istics of the inhabitants are frank- 
ness and hospitality, a generous lib- 
erality of sentiment, and an ardent 
love of liberty and independence. 
There are few of that class of men 
who are esteemed opulent. The 
most wealthy are those who labor 
daily with their hands, and raise by 
their own individual exertions the 
bread they consume. On the other 
hand, the population of the miser- 
ably poor is very small, and the 
town is burthened with but few 
paupers." Bristol was the resi- 
dence of Commodore Samuel Tuck- 
er, distinguished for his bravery in 
the revolutionary war. 

Bristol, W. il. 

Bristol, in the S. E. part of Graf- 
ton county, is bounded N. by Bridge- 
water, E. by Pemigewasset river, 
and W.by Hill. It is 16 miles S.from 
Plymouth, and 30 N. from Concord. 
The land is hilly, but has, in gen- 
eral, a good soil. Newfound pond, 
about 6 miles in length and from 
2 to 3 miles in width, lies in this 
town and in Hebron. Its waters 
are discharged through Newfound 
river, a stream about 2 miles long 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



and 100 feet wide, into Pemigcwas- 
set river. At the confluence of 
these rivers is a pleasant villatije, 
a cotton factory, and a nuniljcr of 
valu.ilile mill scats. Bri>tol was 
taken from ni'i(la;ewater and New 
Chester, and incorporated June 24, 
1819. The tirst settlement was 
made in 1770. Population, in 1830, 
799. 

Bristol, Vt. 

Addison co. It is 25 miles S. W. 
from Montpelier, 11 N. from Mid- 
dlebury, and 25 S. K. from Burling- 
ton. The town is mountainous; 
some parts of it, about the " Ilog's 
Back" and " South Mountain," are 
unfit for cultivation. On the west 
side of the mountains is some tine 
land. About 2,200 sheep are kept 
here. Bristol is watered by New 
Haven river, Baldwin and Lewis' 
creek, and some beautiful natural 
ponds. Here is a good water pow- 
er, and some manufictures. Pop- 
ulation, in 1830, 1,247. 

Bristol, R. I. 

This is the chief town of Bristol 
county ; the Pocanocket of the In- 
dians. It is delightfully situated 
on the waters of Narraganset and 
Mount Hope bays, in lat. 41^ 39' 
53" N., Ion. 71° 19' W. It lies 15 
miles S. fiom Providence, 15 N. 
from Newport, and 56 S. S. AV. 
from Boston. Its navigable advan- 
tages are unrivalled. The com- 
merce of this place is not so exten- 
sive as formerly; still there is con- 
siderable maritime trade. It has 
18 vessels engaged in the whale 
fisher}', 15 or 20 sail in the mer- 
chant service, and a lars;e number 
in the coasting trade. The amount 
of tonnage in this district in 1837, 
was 16,627 tons. Much of the cap- 
ital of this town is employed in man- 
ufacturing concerns at other places. 
The town comprises an area of 
about 12 square miles, including 
Mount Hope, once the residence of 
the celebrated king Philip. The 



soil is a deep, gravelly loam, very 
fertile and pro<luctive. Great quan- 
tities of onions are produced here; 
the cultivation of which gives a 
lucrative employment to a great 
number of the inhabitants. Popu- 
lation, in 1830, 3,054. 

Mount Hope lies about 2 miles 
N. E. of the court house. It is of 
a conical form, and though not more 
than 300 feet above tide water, pre- 
sents a view of great interest and 
beauty. 

Mount Hope hoy is an arm of 
Narraganset bay ; it extends N. E. 
from Bristol to Fall river and Som- 
erset, and receives the waters of 
Taunton river. 

Bristol, Ct. 

Hartford co. This town was ta- 
ken from Farmington in 1785. It 
is watered by some streams which 
flow into Farmington river, and 
there are found within its limits 
iron and copper ores, and granite. 
The copper mine is very rich and 
productive, and will probably be- 
come a source of great wealth. 
"The surface of the town is une- 
ven and hilly, and the soil is a grav- 
elly loam, and considerably fertile, 
producing all kinds of grain, grass 
and fruit, common to this region. 
This is a manufacturing town, and 
the inhabitants are distinguished 
for their enterprize and industry. 
There are at present sixteen clock 
factories, in which nearly 100,000 
brass and wooden clocks have been 
manufactured in a single year. 
The manufacture of buttons is also 
carried on in this place." Bristol 
is 16 miles W. byS. from Hartford, 
and 28 N. from New Haven. Pop- 
ulation, 1830, 1,707; 1837, about 
2,500. 

Brookfleltl, N. H. 

Strafford co. It is 45 miles from 
Concord, and 90 from Boston; was 
originally a part of Middleton, from 
which it was separated and incor- 
porated Dec. 30, 1794. The soil is 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



good. Cook's pond is the source 
of the W. branch of Salmon-Fall 
river. There is also another small 
pond, covering about 15 acres, di- 
rectly on the top of Moose moun- 
tain, which has always about the 
same quantity of water, and a va- 
riety of fish in it. Population, in 
1830, 679. 

Brookficld, Vt. 

Orange co. On the high lands 
between Onion and White rivers ; 
40 miles N. by W. from Windsor, 
16 S. from Montpelier, and bounded 
by Chelsea on the S. E. It is wa- 
tered by a number of ponds and 
springs, but has no important mill 
privileges. This is a tine grazing 
town, and feeds about 10,000 sheep. 
The products of the dairy are con- 
siderable. Here are some manu- 
factures, and an inexhaustible bed 
of marl, from which lime is made. 
The town was tirst settled in 1779, 
and organized in 17S1. Population, 
1830, 1,677. 

Brookfleld, Mass- 
Worcester CO. The Indian Qua- 
boag, a large, fertile and beautiful 
township, in two parishes, well wa- 
tered by several large ponds, which 
give rise to a principal branch of 
Chickopee river. For about forty 
years after its first settlement, in 
1660, this town suffered exceeding- 
ly by the Indians. The ponds af- 
ford fine fish of various kinds, and 
in this town is a mineral spring of 
some celebrity. It lies 58 miles 
W. from Boston, 18 W. from Wor- 
cester, and 7 E. from Ware. In- 
corporated, 1673. Population, 1830, 
2,342 ; 1837, 2,514. The agricul- 
tural products of this town are but- 
ter, cheese, wool, and fine beef cat- 
tle. The manufactures consist of 
boots, shoes, leather, iron castings, 
ploughs, chairs, cabinet ware, palm- 
leat hats, silver ])late, shoe ma- 
kers rolling and shingle machines, 
sleighs, carpenters' hammers, coach 
wrenches, sewing silk, and wooden 



legs. These manufactures, for the 
year ending April 1, 1837, amount- 
ed to $248,502, exclusive of the 
silk. 

Brookfield, Ct. 

Fairfield co. This town lies 33 
miles S. W. from New Haven, 24 
N. by W. from Fairfield, and 6 N. 
by E. from Danburj'. It was taken 
fioni New Milford, Danbury, and 
Newtown, in 1788, and named af- 
ter the first minister. Rev. Thomas 
Brooks, who was ordained when 
the church was organized, in 1758. 
The surface of the town is some- 
what broken, but the soil is strong, 
and well adapted to the culture 
of grain. The rocks in many parts 
of the town are limestone, and af- 
ford marble. The N. E. boundary 
is washed by the Housatonick riv- 
er, over which is a bridge to Mil- 
ford ; and Still river passes nearly 
through its centre. Fish, particu- 
larly shad, are taken in its waters. 
Population, 1830, 1,261. 

Erookliiie, N. H. 

Hillsborough co. On the S. line 
of the state. It is 7 miles from Am- 
herst, 35 from Concord, and 43 from 
Boston. Nisitissit is the only river 
in Brookline. It rises in the N. E. 
part of Mason; passes through the 
S. part of Milford into Brookline, 
pursuing a S. E. coarse to Potanipo 
pond. From the pond it runs S. E. 
to Hollis, passing through the S. W. 
corner of that town into Pepperell, 
where it empties into Nashua river. 
Potauij)o, or Tanapus pond, is situ- 
ated near the meeting house. It is 
about a mile long and one third of a 
mile wide. Brookline formerly be- 
longed to Massachusetts. It was 
incorporated March 30, 1769, by 
the name of Haby. In Nov. 1798, 
the name was altered by an act of 
the legislature to Brookline. Pop- 
ulation, in 1830, 627. 

Brookline, Vt. 

Windham co. Set off from Put- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



ney and Athens in 1791. The east- 
erly part of the town is elevated 
and unproductive. A deep valley 
runs through the town, in which 
is some good land. Its principal 
stream is Grassy brook, a branch of 
West river. An extensive bed of 
porcelain clay is found here. Pop- 
ulation, 1830, 376. 35 miles S. 
from Windsor, 10 N. E. from New- 
fane, and 18 N. from Brattlebo- 
rough. 

Brookliuc, Mass. 

Norfolk CO. This delightful town 
is connected with Boston by the 
mill-dam across Charles river bay; 
one of the most beautiful and ex- 
pensive avenues leading to the city. 
It is distant from Boston about 5 
miles S. W., and from Dedham 5 
miles N. N. E. Incorporated, 170.5. 
Population, 1837,1,083. This town 
is remarkable for its varied surface, 
high state of cultivation, elegant 
country seats and gardens, excel- 
lent roads, and for its rich and pic- 
turesque scenery. Many gentle- 
men of taste and fortune make this 
their residence. 

Brooklyn, Ct. 

Shire town of Windham CO. This 
town is finely watered by Quinne- 
baug river, and Blackwell's stream. 
It was taken from Pomfret and Can- 
terbury in 1786. The land is une- 
ven, and somewhat stony; but the 
soil is strong, producing in abund- 
ance all the varieties common to 
a fertile grazing country. This 
town lies 30 miles E. from Hart- 
ford, 44 W. from Providence, R. I., 
and about 20 N. by E. from Nor- 
wich. Population, 1830, 1,451.— 
Good landscapes are obtained from 
the Gray Mare and Tetnuck hills. 
Here is a cave called the Lion's 
Den, and a mineral spi-ing of some 
notoriety. The celebrated hero. 
General Israel Putnam, lived many 
years and died in this town. He 
was born at Salem, Mass., Jan. 7, 
1718. He died May 29, 1790. 



Speaking of this brave man, Dr. 
Dwight observes, " During the gay- 
est and most thoughtless period of 
his life, he regarded religion with 
profound reverence, and read the 
scriptures with the greatest atten- 
tion." 

Brooks, Me. 

Waldo CO. This town is 11 miles 
N. N. W. from Belfast, and 45 N. 
E. from Augusta. It produced in 
1837, 3,475 bushels of wheat. From 
Paasaggassawakeag pond issues a 
stream of the same name, which 
passes into Belfast bay. First set- 
tled, 1798. Incorporated, 1816. 
Population, 1837, 800. 

Brooksville, Me. 

Hancock co. On the E. side of 
Penobscot bay, opposite to Islesbo- 
rough and Castine. It is bounded 
on the N. by an arm of that bay, 
and includes cape Rosico. This 
town is well located for navigation 
and the fisheries. It lies 80 miles E. 
from Augusta, and about 25 S. E. 
from Ellsworth. Population, 1837, 
1,192. Incorporated, 1817. 

BroAvnfield, Me. 

Oxford CO. Bounded E. by Saco 
river, and contains several ponds 
and streams; 81 miles S. E. from 
Augusta, and 30 S. W. from Paris. 
Incorporated, 1802. Population, 
1837, 1,178. 

BroM'niu^ou, Vt. 

Orleans co. Willoughby river, a 
branch of Barton river, furnishes 
this town with a good mill stream. 
It lies 45 miles N. N. E. from Mont- 
pelier, and 57 N. E. from Burling- 
ton. Chartered, 1790. Population, 
1830, 412. It is divided from Iras- 
burg, on the W., by Barton river. 
In this town are about 1,500 sheep. 

Bro-\vnville, Me. 

Piscataquis co. Bounded on the 
N. and E. by Pleasant river, S. by 
Williamsburgh, and W. by Vaug- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



ban. Incorporated, 1824. Popu- 
lation, 1837, 532. It lies iibout 20 
miles N. from Dover, 97 N. N. E. 
from Augusta, and 171 N. N. E. 
from Portland. This is a ^ood town- 
ship of land, and produced, in 1837, 
3,252 bushels of wheat. 

Brunswick, Me. 

Cumberland co. This town is on 
the S. side of Androscoijgin river, 
and connected with Topdiam by a 
substantial bridge. It is 27 miles N. 
E. from Portland, 30 S. of Augusta, 
and 8 W. from Bath. Population, in 
1830, 3,747; and in 1337, 4,136. It 
lies at the head of the tide waters, 
where vessels of 400 tons are built. 
Vast quantities of timber and logs 
descend the Androscoggin to this 
place, and lumber of all kinds is 
sent to Bath in gondolas, or trans- 
ported by land to the sea board. A 
rail-road, of about 4 miles in length, 
is contemplated, for the tiansporta- 
tion of lumber. There are 30 board 
saw mills at this place, exclusive of 
those in Topsham. Two cotton and 
woolen factories were erected here ; 
but they were both burnt in 1824. 
Another factoi-y was built in 1834, 
calculated for 4,000 spindles. It is 
of stone, five stories high, and 174 
by 45 feet. Other factories are con- 
templated. This place, possessing 
such an exhaustless water power, 
and situated on navigable waters, 
and on a large and beautiful I'iver, 
extending 140 miles into the heart 
of a fertile and healthy country, 
cannot fail of very soon becoming 
one of our largest manufacturing 
towns. 

Brunswick was first settled in 
1627, and incorporated in 1739. It 
has been the scene of much savage 
aggression. See Register. 

Bruus^viclk, Vt. 

Essex CO. This town was first 
settled in 1780. Population, 1830, 
160. It lies on the W. side of 
Connecticut river, and has some 
excellent mill sites on the waters 



of Nulhegan river, and Wheeler 
and Paul's streams. There are 
some beautiful ponds in town, and 
a mineral spring said to contain me- 
dicinal virtues. It is 55 miles N. E. 
from Montpelier, 14 N. from Guild- 
hall, and opi)o-ile to Stratford, 
N. H. 

Buckfield, Me. 

Oxford CO. This town is finely 
watered by a branch of Androscog- 
gin river. It is bounded on the W. 
by Paris, and is 34 miles W. by S. 
from Augusta, and 50 N. by W. 
from Portland. Population, 1837, 
1,618. The soil of this town is very 
good. Among its agricultural pro- 
ducts, in 1S37, it yielded 5,613 bush- 
els of wheat. 

Bucklautl, Mass. 

Franklin co. This is a pleasant 
town and is separated from Cliarle- 
mont by Deerfield river. It lies 
102 miles W. by N. from Boston, 
10 W. from Greenfield, and 20 E. 
S. E. from Adams. Incorporated, 
1779. Population, 1837, 1,051.— 
This is a good farming town, and 
produces a considerable quantity of 
wool. 

Buclssport, Me. 

Hancock co. This town lies on 
the E. side of Penobscot river, 15 
miles below Bangor, 61 N. E. by 
E. fi-om Augusta, and about 18 W. 
by N. from Ellsworth. It has a 
fine harbor for vessels of the larg- 
est class, and which is seldom ob- 
structed by ice. The soil is good, 
and the town is watered by a num- 
ber of ponds and streams. Consid- 
erable shipping belong to this place, 
and the trade is quite extensive, 
particularly in the lumber business. 
It has some manufactures. From 
1792 to 1816, Bucksport was called 
Buchstown. Ths is a very beauti- 
ful town, elevated, healthy, and 
flourishing. It is situated just 
above the head of Orphan's island, 



NKW r.NGLAND GAZETTF,F,n, 



on wliich a fort is to he erected. 
Popul:ition,lS3(), 2,237; 1837,2,825. 

Burke, Vt. 

Caledonia co. A mountain, 3,500 
feet in height, divides this town 
from Victory, on the E. }5ranches 
of Passumpsic river pass through it, 
and afford a good water power. 
This is a place of some manufac- 
tures, particularh' of oil stones. This 
stone (noiHicxiUte) is found on an 
island in I\Ienipliremas;o,£; lake. — 
The stones are brou2;ht in their 
rough state, and their quality is 
said to equal those from Turkey. 
The soil of the town is good, and 
abounds with hard-wood and ever- 
greens. A large number of sheep 
are kept here. Purkc was first set- 
tled in 1780. Population, 1830, 
866. It lies 40 miles N. E. from 
Montpclicr, and I'J ?•.'. E. from Dan- 
ville. 

Burlington, Me. 

Penobscot co. The number of 
inhabitants in this town in 1837, 
was 277. They produced the same 
year 2,106 bushels of wheat. See 
Barnard, Me. 

Burlington, Vt. 

This is the chief town in the 
coun'j^ of Chittenden. It is de- 
lightfully situated upon the tongue 
of land formed by the confluence 
of the Winooski,or Onion river, with 
lake Champlain. This is the most 
important town in Vermont. It 
lies in lat. 41° 27' N. and in Ion. 
73° 15' W. It is 33 miles W. N. 
W. from Montpelier, 62 S. by E. 
from St. Johns, E. C, 80 S. S. E. 
from Montreal, 70 N. from White- 
hall, 22 S. E. from Plattsburgh. 10 
miles across the lake lo Port Ken'., 
N. Y. and 410 from Washington. 

Although some beginnings were 
made before that event, no perma- 
nent settlement was effected in this 
township (ill about the clo-^e of the 
revolution in 1783. The town was 
organized by the election of town 



ofiicers about the year 1786. The 
surface of the township is agreea- 
bly diversified, and is so much ele- 
vated above the lake that the air is 
pure and wholesome. 

Tliis town is not surpassed in 
beauty of location by any one in 
New England. It lies on the east 
shore of Burlington bay, and occu- 
pies a gentle declivity, descending 
towards the west and terminated by 
ihe waters of the lake. The prin- 
cipal streets, running oast and west 
are one mile in length, and these 
are intersected at right angles by 
streets running north and south, 
and cutting the whole village into 
regular squares. A large share of 
the business on lake Champlain 
centres at this place, and the town 
is rapidly increasing in wealth and 
consequence. There are regular 
daily lines of steam-boats between 
this place and Whitehall, between 
this and St. Johns and between this 
and Plattsburgh, besides numerous 
arrivals of irregular boats, sloops, 
&c. Three extensive wharves, 
with store-houses, have been con- 
structed and most of the merchan- 
dize designed for the north-eastern 
section of Vermont is landed here. 
The trade is principally with the 
city of New York, although Mont- 
real and Troy have a share. For 
the safety of the navigation, a light- 
house has been erected on Juniper 
island, at tlie entrance of Burling- 
ton bay, and for the security of the 
harbor, a breakwater has been com- 
menced here at the expense of the 
general government. There are 
four lines of mail stages which ar- 
rive and depart daily, besides three 
or four others which come in and 
go out twice or thrice a week. 

The public buildings are six 
churches, the University of Ver- 
mont, (he Episco])al Insfituie, the 
court house, two banks, the Acad- 
emy and two female seminaries. 
The University consists of four 
spacious edifices, located upon the 
sumuiit at the eastern extremity of 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



the village, more than 250 feet 
above the level of the lake, and com- 
mands one of the finest prospects 
in the United States. The villaoe, 
the lake, with its hays and islands 
— its steam-boats and sloops, — the 
Winooski river, dashing through 
frightful chasms and then winding 
among the beautiful meadows, and 
the distant and lofty mountains 
which form the great outline, 
render the view from the dome of 
the University one of the most va- 
riegated and interesting to be met 
with in our country. 

As a part of Burlington may be 
mentioned the village called "Win- 
ooski City." It is situated on both 
sides of the "Winooski river, partly 
in Burlington and partly in Col- 
chester, and is one mile from the 
village of Burlington. The water 
power here is sufficient for propel- 
ling almost any amount of machine- 
i-y, and is beginning to be employed 
to some purpose. Besides two saw 
mills, a large grist mill, a machine 
shop and numerous smaller works, 
there is a large satinet factory and 
an extensive block factory now in 
successful operation, and a woolen 
factory of the first class is to com- 
mence running the present season. 
A substantial covered bridge con- 
nects the two sides of the river; a 
handsome church, and several stores 
have been erected, and 'Winooski 
City' bids fair to become a place of 
business and importance. See Reg- 
ister. 

Burlington, Mass. 

Middlesex co. This town is wa- 
tered by Vine brook, a branch of 
the Shavvsheen river. It lies 11 
miles 8. E. from Lowell, 10 N. E. 
from Concord, and 13 N. W. by N. 
from Boston. Population, 1S37, 
522. Some shoes are made here. 
The soil is light, and suitable for 
the growth of rye and hops. 

Burlington, Ct. 

Hartford co. An agricultural 



township, with a soil of gravelly 
loam, pleasantly diversified by hills 
and vales, 17 miles W. from Hart- 
ford, and 30 N. from New Haven. 
Population, 1830, 1,301. It is water 
ed by Farmington river, and was tak- 
en from Bristol in 1806. This town 
has some manufactures, and has 
been noted for the equality of its 
inhabitants, in regard to property. 

Burnliani, Me. 

Waldo CO. It lies 37 miles N. 
E. from Augusta, and about 30 N. 
W. from Belfast. It is bounded S. 
W. by Sebasticook river, and E. by 
Troy. Incorporated, 1824. Popu- 
lation, 1837, 602. It produced 
2,297 bushels of wheat in 1837. 

Biirnliam's River, ]V. II. 

See Lyman, A". H. 

Bnrnt Coat Island, Me. 

Hancock co. A large island, sur- 
rounded by others of a smaller 
size, lying off Blue Hill bay, E. by 
S. from Deer island about 13 miles, 
and about 6 miles S. by W. from 
the town of Mount Desert. It has 
a light-house and good harbors, and 
is a fi.ne location for the shore fish- 
ery. 

Eurrilville, R. I. 

Providence co. This town was 
taken from Gloucester in 1806. It 
is finely watered by Branch river, 
with many branches ; one branch 
of which rises in Allum pond, part- 
ly in this town and partly in Doug- 
las, Mass. This river is an im- 
portant tributary to the Blackstone. 
Manufacturing villages are scatter- 
ed over this large town in almost 
every direction, and a vast amount 
of manufactures of vaiious kinds is 
annually produced. The face of 
the town is rough, but the soil is 
adapted to grazing, and produces 
large quantities of beef, pork, but- 
ter, cheese, &c. Herring and Ed- 
dy's ponds are pleasant sheets of 
water. Buriilville lies 24 miles 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



N. W. from Providence, and 27 S. 
by E. from Worcester. Population, 
1830, 2,196. 

Buxton, Itle. 

York CO. This town is bounded 
on the S. W. by Saco river. At 
this place tiie Saco falls about SO 
feet, and produces a great hydrau- 
lic power, which is partly improv- 
ed for manufacturing establish- 
ments. It lies 8 miles N. W. from 
Saco, 16 N. E. from Alfred, 18 W. 
from Portland, and 71 S. W. from 
Augusta. Incorporated, 1772. Pop- 
ulation, 1S37, 2,888. 

Buzzard's Bay, Mass. 

This bay lies N. W. from Dukes 
county, W. from Barnstable county, 
and S. by E. from the counties of 
Plymouth and Bristol. The length 
of the bay is about 30 miles from 
N. E. to S. W., and its average 
breadth about 7 miles. From the 
head of this bay, across Cape Cod 
to Massachusetts bay, (the place 
proposed for a canal,) is 5 miles. 

Bjraeld, Mass. 

See jYewbury. 

Byram River. 

See Greenwich, Ct. 
Byron, Me. 

Oxford CO. See Barnard, Me. 

Cabot, Vt. 

Caledonia co. On the height of 
land between Onion and Connecti- 
cut rivers. " The Plain" is delight- 
fully situated, having the Green 
and White mountains in prospect. 
Several branches of the Onion riv- 
er water this town, and afford it 
some water power. Here is Jo 
and J\[olly^s pond, and a sulphur 
spring. The surface is broken and 
hard, but good for sheep, of which 
about 6,000 are reared. The town 
was first settled in 1785. The first 
females who came here came on 
snow-shoes. This is the birth place 
of Zerah Colburn, the celebrated 



mathematician. Cabot lies 12 miles 
N. E. from Montpelier, and bound- 
ed W. by Danville. Population, 
1830, 1,304. 

CalaJs, Me. 

W^ashington co. At the head of 
navigation on the Schoodic, or St. 
Croix river, nearly opposite to St. 
Andrews, N. B. The Upper vil- 
lage, or Mill Toivn, is about two 
miles from tide water. At the 
Lower village, below the falls, is a 
bridge to the British side. Calais 
lies 28 miles above Eastport, about 
35 N. by E. from Machias, and 204 
E. N. K. fioiri Augusta. This is a 
great mart for luiiil)er of all kinds. 
About 10 saw mills and other ma- 
chinery are in operation by the 
great full of the river. The tide 
rises here about 20 feet, and large 
vessels ascend to the lower village. 
A rail-road is in operation between 
the two villages; it is to extend to 
Baring. Incorpoi-ated, 1809. Pop- 
ulation, 1S30, 1,686; 1837, 3,027. 

Calais, Vt. 

Washington co. Abijah Whee- 
lock and others first settled this 
town in 1787. It lies 36 miles E. 
by S. from Burlington, and 12 N. E. 
from Montpelier. Population, 1830, 
1,539. Calais has a number of 
streams, branches of Onion river, 
and several fine ponds. Two thou- 
sand pounds of trout have been tak- 
en in a season. There is some man- 
ufactuiing cariieil on in the town, 
and it feeds about 6,000 sheep. 

Caledonia County, Vt. 

Danville is the chief town. — 
Bounded E. by Connecticut river 
and Essex county ; S. by Orange 
county ; W. by Washington coun- 
ty, and N. by the county of Orleans. 
It contains about 700 square miles. 
Population, 1820, 16,669 ; 1830, 
19,943. Inhabitants to a square 
mile, 28. Incorporated, 1792. The 
eastern range of the Green moun- 
tains extends through the western 



NEW ENGCAND GAZETTEER. 



part of the county. It is watered 
by many fine streams, but the Con- 
necticut and Passumpsic are its 
chief rivers. A large pait of the 
county is high and good land ; that 
alon^ the rivers is excellent. It 
produces wheat and other grain, 
beef cattle, horses, and about 60,- 
000 slieep. Tliere are some sul- 
phur spiings in this county ; lime- 
stone and granite are abundant. 

Cambridge, Me. 

Somerset co. In the year 1837 
the town had a jjopulation of 431, 
and raised, the same year, 2,890 
bushels of wheat. See Barnard, 

Me. 

Caniliridge, N. II., 

Coos CO., is an uninhabited town- 
ship, of 23,160 acres, granted May 
19, 1773, to Nathaniel Rogers and 
others. It is bounded N. by the 
township of Errol and Umbagog 
lake, E. by the state of Maine, S. 
by Success and Milan, and W. bj' 
Dummer. This tract has an une- 
ven surface, but might be advanta- 
geously cultivated. Several streams 
rise here, and fall into the Amei-is- 
coggin, wliich passes through the 
N. W. part of the town. 

Caiiibridge, Vt. 

Lamoille co. It lies 30 miles N. 
W. from Montpelier, and about 16 
W. fi-om Hydepai'k. Population, 
1S30, 1,613. First settled, 17S3. 
The Lamoille and other streams 
atford this town a good water pow- 
er. There is some good intervale 
in the town, but the land is rough, 
and chietly valuable for grazing: 
it feeds about 7,000 sheep. 

Cambridge, 3Iass. 

Middlesex co. This town may 
be divided into three parts; Old 
Cambridge, the seat of the most 
ancient and best endowed college, 
in the Ll^nited States, is 3 miles from 
West Boston bridge, which divides 
Canibiidge from Boston. Cam- 



bridge-Port is a compact, flourish- 
ing village, about midway between 
tlie University and the bridge. East 
Cambridge is of newer growth, and 
is a very flourisliing place. It is 
the seat of the county courts, and 
is immediately connected with Bos- 
ton by Canal bridge and the viaduct 
of the Boston and Lowell rail-road, 
over Charles river. This town was 
incorporated by the name of New- 
ton in 1630. It took the name of 
Cambridge in 163S. The first print- 
ing press in Amei-ica was establish- 
ed here, by Stephen Day, in 1639. 
The tirst work printed was the 
" Freeman's Oath." In this town 
are various and extensive manu- 
factories. They consist of glass, 
hats, leather, boots and shoes, shoe 
blacking, tin ware, chairs and cabi- 
net ware, rail-road cars, chaises, 
coaches, and other carriages ; iron 
axletrees, harnesses, organs, car- 
penters' tools, clothing, pumps and 
blocks, cigars, brass and britannia 
ware, bricks, ropes and twine, soap, 
brushes, varnish, confectionary, 
stamped and stained paper, stoves, 
sheet iron, glue, pocket books, and 
medicine. The value of these man- 
ufactures the year ending April 1, 
1837, amounted to ,«;930,666. The 
amount of glass, winch is consid- 
ered of admiralile quality, exceed- 
ed ,$4.50,000. Cambridge is very 
pleasant, altliough not so elevated 
as some of the neighboring towns. 
Besides the buildings of the Uni- 
versity, it contains the United 
States' arsenal, other handsome pub- 
lic buildings, and many very ele- 
gant private residences. See Reg- 
ister. 

Mount Jlubnrn Cemetery, lies 
about a mile W. of the Univer- 
sity, in the towns of Cambi-idge and 
Watertown. It contains about 100 
acres of land, and is laid out with 
gravelled walks, and planted and 
embellished with all the varieties 
of trees, sJirubbery, and flowers. 
Lots of ground, of 300 sq^uare feet. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



at suitable distances along the 
winding passages, are appropriated 
as laiuily burial places, with the 
jjerpetual right to purchasers of 
enclosing, decorating, and using 
them for that purjjose. Numerous 
monuments of exquisite woriinian- 
ship are already erected, which 
add, if possible, to the melancboly 
grandeur of the scene. It is an en- 
chanting spot ; — a magnificent rest- 
ing place of the dead. This ceme- 
tery was dedicated Sept. 24, 1831. 
We cannot dcnj' ourselves the 
gratification of (juoting a few Hues 
iVom the dfscriplive part of Judge 
Story's admirable address on that 
occasion. 

" A rural cometei-y seems to coni- 
bine in itself all the advantages 
which can be proposed to gratify 
human feelings, or tranquilize hu- 
man fears ; to secure the best re- 
ligious influences, and to cherish 
all those associations which cast a 
cheerful liglit over the darkness of 
the grave. 

" And what spot can be more ap- 
propriate than this, for such a pur- 
pose ? Nature seems to point it out 
with significant energy, as the fa- 
vorite retirement for tlie dead. — 
There are around us all the vai'ied 
features of her beauty and gran- 
deur — the forest-crowned height; 
the abrupt acclivity ; the sheltered 
valley ; the deep glen ; the grassy 
glade, and the silent grove. Here 
are the lofty oak, the beech, that 
' wreaths its old fantastic roots so 
high,' the rustling pine, and the 
drooping willow, — the tree, that 
.sheds its pale leaves with every 
autumn, a lit emblem of our own 
transitory bloom ; and the ever- 
green, with its perennial shoots, in- 
structing us, that ' the wintry blast 
of death kills not the buds of vir- 
tue.' Here is the thick shrubbery, 
to protect and conceal the new- 
made grave ; and there is the wild- 
flower creeping along the narrow 
path, and planting its seeds in the 
upturned earth. All around us 



there breaths a solemn calm, as if 
we were in the bosom of a wilder- 
ness, broken only by the breeze as 
it murmurs through the tops of the 
forest, or by the notes of the warb- 
ler, pouring forth his matin or his 
evening song. 

" Ascend l)ut a few steps, and 
what a change of scenery to sur- 
prise and delight us. Vv'e seem, as 
it were, in an instant, to pass from 
the confines of death to the bright 
and balmy regions of life. Below us 
Hows the winding Charles, with its 
rippling current, like the stream of 
time hastening to the ocean of eter- 
nity. In the distance, the city, — 
at once the object of our admiration 
and our love, — rears its proud emi- 
nences, its glittering spires, its lofty 
towers, its graceful mansions, its 
curling smoke, its ci-owded haunts 
of business and pleasure, which 
speak to the eye, and yet leave a 
noiseless loneliness on the ear. — 
Again we turn, and the walls of 
our venerable Universitj' rise be- 
fore us, with many a recollection 
of happy days passed there in the 
interchange of study and friend- 
ship, and many a grateful thought 
of the affluence of its learning, 
which has adorned and nourished 
the literature of our country. — 
Again we turn, and the cultivated 
farm, the neat cottage, the village 
church, the sparkling lake, the rich 
valley, and the distant hills, are be- 
fore us through opening vistas ; and 
we breathe amidst the fresh and 
varied labors of man. 

" There is, therefore, within our 
reach, every vai'iety of natural and 
artificial scenery, which is fitted to 
awaken emotions of the highest and 
most affecting character, ^\'e stand, 
as it were, upon the borders of two 
woi'lds ; and as the mood of our 
minds may be, we may gather les- 
sons of profound wisdom by con- 
trasting the one with the other, or 
indulge in the dreams of ho])e and 
ambition, or solace our hearts by 
melancholy meditations." 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



Camdeu, Me. 

Waldo CO. This sea-port is fine- 
ly located for navigation, with two 
beautiful harbors, on the W. side of 
Penobscot bay, 10 miles N. from 
Thomaston, 17 S. from Belfast, and 
40 E. S. E. from Augusta. Popu- 
lation, 1837, 2,991. This place has 
some navigation engaged in the 
coasting trade and fisheries, and 
considerable ship building is carri- 
ed on ; but the principal business 
is the manufacture of lime from in- 
exhaustible quarries of marble, or 
lime stone. About 200,000 casks 
of lime is annually shipped from 
this place to all parts of the United 
States. This lime is noted for mak- 
ing a cement of a superior quality. 
The Megunticook river waters a 
part of the town, and gives it a 
great water power, which might 
be well applied to manufacturing 
purposes. From a mountain in the 
rear of the town a beautiful pros- 
pect is presented of Penobscot bay 
and its numerous islands. Camden 
is a pleasant retreat in summer 
months. 

Camel's Back Mountain, Vt. 

This most elevated summit of the 
Green mountains lies in Hunting- 
ton, 17 miles W. from Montpelier, 
25 N. E. from Middlcbury, and 20 
S. E. from Burlington. It is 4,188 
feet above the sea. 

Camp ton, IV. H., 

Grafton co., Is bounded N. by 
Thornton, E. by Sandwich, S. by 
Holderness and Plymouth, W. by 
Rumney ; is 50 miles fiom Con- 
cord, and 75 from Portsmouth. Its 
surface is broken and uneven, 
abounding with rocky ledges, and 
having several mountainous tracts. 
Besides Pemigewasset river, run- 
ning N. and S. through nearly the 
centre of the town, it is watered by 
Mad and Beebe's rivers, which fall 
into the Pemigewasset on the E., 
and by West Branch river and Bog 



brook on the W. The land in the 
valleys is generally good, and there 
is some good intervale. The high 
land is good for grazing. The for- 
est trees are mostly deciduous. No 
white oak or pitch pine is found N. 
of the centre of the town. Iron 
ore of an inferior quality is found 
in some places. The towns of 
Campton and Rumney were both 
granted in Oct. 1761, to Capt. Jabez 
Spencer, of East Haddam, Conn., 
but he dying before a settlement 
was effected, his heirs, in conjunc- 
tion with others, obtained a new 
charter, Jan. 5, 1767. The first 
settlement was made in 1765, by 
two families of the names of Fox 
and Taylor. The proprietors held 
their first meeting Nov. 2, 1769, 
and the inhabitants theirs, Dec. 16, 
1771. From the circumstance of 
the first proprietors building a camp 
when they went to survey Camp- 
ton and Rumney, this town derives 
its name. In the revolutionary 
war, this town, though in its infan- 
cy, furnished nine or ten soldiers, 
five of whom died in the service, 
and three were living in 1822. Pop- 
ulation, in 1830, 1,318. 

Canaan, Me. 

Somerset CO. This town was first 
settled in 1774, and incorporated in 
1788. It formerly embraced the 
territory of Skowhegan and Bloom- 
field. It is a good farming town, 
and produced, in 1837, 5,444 bushels 
of wheat. It lies on the east side 
of Kennebec river, 13 miles E. from 
Norridgewock, and 34 N. from Au- 
gusta. Population, 1837, 1,347. 

Caikaau, N. H. 

Grafton co. Bounded N. by 
Dame's gore, which separates it 
from Dorchester, E. by Orange, S. 
by Enfield, and W. by Hanover, 
and is situated on the height of land 
between the rivers Connecticut and 
Merrimack. It is 16 miles E. from 
Dartmouth college, 30 S. E. from 
Haverhill, 25 S, W. from Plymouth, 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



and 40 N. W. from Coucord. The 
only stream of consequence is the 
Mascomy, which rises in the N.W. 
part of Dorchester, and after a me- 
andering course of 8 or 10 miles, 
falls into Mascomy pond in Entield. 
Indian stream river rises in the S. 
E. corner of Dorchester, and run- 
ning about 8 miles, mingles with 
the waters of Mascomy, near the 
centre of the town. Heart pond, 
so called from its tigure, is situated 
in the centre of the town, and upon 
a swell of land so elevated that 
at a distance it presents the appear- 
ance of a sheet of water on a hill. 
It is about 500 rods in length and 
200 in width, and the only natural 
curiosity of any note, is the mound, 
or bank of earth, which nearly sur- 
rounds this pond. It is from 4 to 
5 feet high, and from its uniform 
height and regular construction 
would seem to be the work of art; 
but from frequent annual observa- 
tion, it is found to have been pro- 
duced by the drifting of the ice 
when breaking up in the spring. 
Besides this, there are Goose, 
Clark's, IMud and Bear ponds. The 
land is not so broken as in some of 
the adjoining towns. There is but 
little not capable of cultivation. 
The soil is tolerably fertile, and 
produces wheat, rye, corn, flax, &c. 
Canaan was granted by charter, 
July 9, 17G1, to 62 persons, all of 
whom except ten belonged to Con- 
necticut. It derived its name from 
Canaan in that state. The lirst per- 
manent settlement was made in the 
winter, in 1766 or 7, by John Sco- 
field, who conveyed what etTeets 
he possessed the distance of 14 miles 
over a crust of snow upon a hand- 
sled. Among others of the first 
settlers, were George Harris, Tho- 
mas Miner, Joshua Harris, and 
Samuel Jones. The first proprie- 
tors' meeting was held July 19, 
1768. Topu'ation, in 1830, 1,42S. 

Cauaau, Vt. 

Essex CO. Bounded N. by Can- 

7* 



ada, and E. by Stewartstown, N. 
H.; .31 miles N. from Guildhall, 
and 112 N. E. from IMontpelier. 
First settled, 1785. Population, 
1830, 373. The land in this town 
is broken and cold. Leed's pond 
produces an abundance of tish. 
Canaan produces more fish than 
grain. 

Cauaan, Ct. 

Litchfield co. First settled in 
1733. Incorporated, 1739. Canaan 
lies 41 miles N. \V. from Hartford, 
and IS N. N. W. from Litchfield. 
Population, 1830, 2,-301. The town 
lies on the E. side of Housatonick 
river, opposite to Salisbury. A 
ledge of limestone rocks crosses the 
river at this place, about 30 rods in 
length, causing a perpendicular fall 
of 60 feet. The river is rapid, both 
above and below" this beautiful cata- 
ract. The whole descent of the 
river, in Canaan, is about 130 feet, 
" nobly arranged and distributed, 
and comprehending a remarkable 
variety of beauty and grandeur." 
The township is mountainous, with 
some arable land along the streams. 
About 4,000 sheep are kept here. 
This section of country is noted for 
its excellent mutton. Limestone 
and iron ore are abundant ; the lat- 
ter is of a very line qualitj\ Iron 
works, on an extensive scale, are 
established here ; a satinet factory 
and other machinery. 

Cauals ill New £]iiglaud. 

See Register. 

Candia, N. H., 

Rockingham co., Was detached 
from the IV. part of Chester and in- 
corporated, 1763. The soil is natu- 
rally hard of cultivation ; but the 
industry of the inhabitants has made 
it fruitful. It was originally cover- 
ed with a thick growth of oak, ash, 
maple, birch, &.c. The site of this 
town is elevated, and commands 
an extensive view of the rich scene- 
ry of the adjacent country — the 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



White Hills, the Wachusett, and 
other mountains, the lights on Plum 
island, and the ocean being visible. 
In the W. part of the town is a 
ridge of land extending from N. to 
S., which is tlie highest elevation 
between Merrimack river and the 
ocean. On the E. side of this ridge, 
two branches of Lamprey river 
take their rise. Candia lies 15 
miles from Concord. This town 
among others contril)uted largely 
to the attainment of independence ; 
and the names of 69 soldiers of the 
revolution are found on its records. 
The inhabitants are mostly indus- 
trious farmers, many of whom ai-e 
wealthy. Population, 1830, 1,.3G2. 

CanterlJiiry, N. H. 

Merrimack co. Canterbury, 
though an uneven township, is not 
mountainous. The soil is generally 
good ; the more uneven parts af- 
fording excellent pasturage. There 
are no large streams in this town ; 
but several ponds give rise to smal- 
ler streams, furnishing good mill 
sites, and near which are cut great 
quantities of hay. Two bridges over 
the Merrimack connect this town 
with Boscawen. The town was set- 
tled about 1727, and for along time 
the inhabitants were exposed to the 
inroads of the savages. The hus- 
bandman cleared and tilled his land 
under the protection of a guard, 
uncertain whether the seed he com- 
mitted to the ground might not be 
watered by his blood, or that of an 
enemy. Canterbury lies 8 miles 
N. from Concord. Population, 
1836, 1663. 

The Hon. Abiei^ Foster de- 
serves a particular notice. He pos- 
sessed in a great degree the esteem 
and contidence of the people ; and 
soon after he left the pastoral care 
of the church, he was called to ar- 
duous duties as a magistrate and 
legislator. In 1783, he was elected 
to Congress ; and for three years 
was a member of that body under 
the old confederation. He was suc- 



cessively returned a member for 
nearly all the time until 1804 ; 
when he retired to private life and 
domestic tiaquillity. He was an 
ardent lover of his country, and 
faithfully served his constituents — 
by whom his memory will long be 
chei-ished. He died in Feb., 1806. 
Canterbury, from its elevated situa- 
tion, has ever been a healthy town. 
In the S. E. part of this town, 
on an elevated and beautiful site, is 
the village of the "Shakers." At 
present it consists of more than two 
hundred members. They have a 
meeting-house open at all times of 
public worship, where any discreet 
and decent spectator is allowed to 
attend. They have a "Trustees' 
Office," where all their public busi- 
ness is transacted, and where stran- 
gers are at first received on their vis- 
its to the society. They have also 
neat dwelling-houses, of two and 
three stories, and several work- 
shops both for men and women. 
Their mills and various kinds of 
machinery are moved by water ou 
an artificial stream. They manu- 
facture many articles for sale, 
which are remarkable for neatness 
and durability. Their gardens are 
perhaps the most productive of any 
in the country ; and indeed all their 
improved lands exhibit the pleasing 
efl'ects of industry and rural econ- 
omy. They cultivate gaitleu seeds 
and take much pains to pro- 
pagate those of the best kind. — 
They occupy more than 1,500 acres 
of land, lying principally in a body, 
which they have ' consecrated to 
the Lord,' and which they enjoy 
in common. They cheerfully pay 
their proportion of public taxes, 
and share all the burthens of gov- 
ernment, except the bearing of 
arms, which they deem to be con- 
trary to the gospel ; and in return 
they claim from government only 
that protection and support guaran- 
tied to other citizens. The income 
of their manufactures, together 
with their agricultural products. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



yields their temporal support ; and 
what they become possessed of 
more than is necessary to their 
wants, they devote to charitable 
purposes, agreeably to their church 
covenant. It should be mentioned 
as a practice highly creditable 
to this sect, that the members 
of their societies never make use 
of ardent spirits, except in cases of 
sickness, being aware of tlie evils 
intemperance brings upon society. 
Another practice not unworthy of 
imitation is, they refuse to be trust- 
ed even in the smallest sum. They 
transact their secular concerns with 
great uprightness ; and though they 
may have sulfered reproach from 
their singularity of life and man- 
ners, they have become a proverb for 
industry, justice and benevolence. 
For a particular account of the re- 
ligious tenets of this singular peo- 
ple, see Religious Creeds and Sta- 
tistics. 

Canterbxiry, C't. 

Windliam co. The first settlers 
of this town were principally from 
Dorchester, Mass. and its neighbor- 
hood. They came here about the 
year 1690. The soil of the town is 
a gravelly loam, generally fertile 
and productive. It lies 40 miles 
E. by S. from Hartford, and 6 S. 
from Brooklyn. Population, 1830, 
1,8S1. The Quinnebaug is here 
a large and beautiful stream. It 
annually overflows its banks, and 
fertilizes a large tract upon its bor- 
ders. There is tine fishing in Bates' 
pond. Considerable excitement 
manifested itself in this town, in 
1S32, in consequence of a Miss 
Crandall proposing to open a school 
for the instruction of " Young la- 
dies and little misses of color." — 
Although no one seemed to question 
tlie purity of Miss CrandalTs mo- 
tives, yet the people doubted the 
expediency of the measure. 

Canton, Itle. 

Oxford CO. Incorporated, 1S21. 



Population, 1837, 827. It lies on 
both sides of the Androscoggin riv- 
er, 32 miles AV. N. W. from Au- 
gusta, and 24 N. E. from Paris. 
Canton produced, in 1837, 3,114 
bushels of wheat. 

Canton, Mass. 

Norfolk CO. Neponset river and 
several large ponds give this town 
a great water power. It lies 15 
miles S. W. from Boston, and 5 S. 
by E. from Dedham. Incorporated, 
17!)-. Population, 1830, 1,.517; 
1837, 2,185. The manufactures of 
Canton the year ending 1st of 
April, 1837, amounted to ,$695,- 
180. They consisted of cotton and 
woolen goods, shoes, palm-leaf hats, 
copper, wicking, thread, candle- 
sticks, hoes, iron castings, trying 
squares, and " shapes." The bells 
manufactured at this place are of 
superior metal and sound. Tliis 
place is easily approached from the 
capital by the Boston and Provi- 
dence rail-road. The viaduct, or 
bridge, on that road at this place, 
cost the company about $80,000. 
It is of massive hewn granite, (jOO 
feet in length ; 63 feet above the 
foundation, on 6 arches, with a suc- 
cession of arches at top. It is an 
admirable piece of workmanship. 

Canton, Ct. 

Hartford co. First settled, 1740. 
Incorporated, 1806. Population, 
1830, 1,437. ColUnsville is the 
principal village in the town, at 
which a large amount of axes, of a 
superior quality, are annually made. 
It lies 16 miles N. W. by W. from 
Hartford, and 16 N. E. from Litch- 
field. This village presents a beau- 
tiful appearance, and is a noble 
specimen of individual enterprize. 
The soil of Canton is coarse and 
stony, and the surface hilly. Farm- 
ington river passes through its S. 
W. corner. 

Carlisle, Mass. 

Middlesex co. This town lies 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



20 miles N. W. from Boston, and 5 
N. from Concord. Incorporated, 
1805. Population, 1837, 596. It 
is bounded 5. E. by Concord river. 
This is a poor town, and its manu- 
factures are very trifling. 

Carmel, Me. 

Penobscot co. Population, IS.iT, 
510. Growth of wheat, same year, 
1,890 bushels. 71 miles from Au- 
gusta. See Sowadabscook Stream. 

Carroll, Ti. H. 

A township in Coos county, ly- 
ing at the base of the White Moun- 
tains, on the N. W., having Jeffer- 
son and Whitefield N., Whitefield 
and Bethlehem W.,and the ungrant- 
ed lands, and Nash and Sawyer's 
Location on the S. It was granted 
Feb. 8, 1772, to Sir Thomas" Went- 
worth, Bart., Rev. Samuel Langdon, 
and 81 others. Its surface is un- 
even, and its appearance dreary. — 
Population, in 1830, 103. 

Carthage, Me. 

Franklin co. Incorporated, 1826. 
Population, 1837, 455. 46 miles 
from Augusta, and 73 from Port- 
land. See Barnard, Me. 

Carver, Mass. 

Plymouth CO. Setoff from Ply- 
mouth in 1790. Population, 1837, 
990. 38 miles S. E. from Boston, 
and 8 S. W. by S. from Plymouth. 
There are a number of pleasant 
ponds in this town. The soil is not 
very productive. The manufac- 
tures of Carver consist of iron cast- 
ings, boots, shoes, boxes, and wil- 
low baskets; annual amount al)Out 
$50,000. 

Casco Bay, Me. 

This is one of the finest bays on 
the American coast. Its western 
boundary is Cape Elizabeth ; its 
eastern. Cape Small Point. The 
distance between those capes is 
about 20 miles. Its indentation does 
not exceed 15 miles. Within it are 



some of the best harbors in the 
world. It is said that Casco bay 
contains as many islands as there 
are days in the year ; however that 
may be, we know that they are 
very numerous, some very large, 
fertile, and well cultivated ; and 
that a survey of them from the high 
grounds in Portland, Falmouth, 
Cumberland, or Yarmouth, affords a 
treat of island and ocean scenery 
of transcendent beauty. 

Castine, Me. 

Hancock co. Castine derived its 
name from a French baron of that 
name, who resided here upwards of 
twenty years after 1667. This 
peninsula, jutting out into Belfast 
bay, at the mouth of Penobscot 
river, was formerly called " Major 
Biguyduce," pronounced, Baga- 
diice. The peninsula embraces 
2,500 acres of land, and was first 
settled by the English, in 1760. 
The British occupied this place in 
both of the wars with the U. S. It 
was the shire, or chief town, of the 
county from 1789 to 1838, when 
the courts were removed to Ells- 
worth. Castine possesses an excel- 
lent maritime position, but its trade 
from the country is limited, being 
cut off by the more inland towns. 
Its trade, however, is considerable. 
The lumber and coasting trade, 
with the fisheries, give active em- 
ployment to its people. 78 miles 
E. from Augusta, and about 25 S. 
W. from Ellsworth. Population, 
1830, 1,155; 1837, 1,168. 

Castleton, Vt. 

Rutland, CO. This is a flourish- 
ing town, watered by a river of the 
same name ; 11 miles W. from Rut- 
land, 72 S. W. from Montpelier, 
and 14 E. from Whitehall. Popu- 
lation, 1830, 1,783. First settled, 
1770. The surface of the town is 
rough and hilly, but there is some 
rich land. It feeds about 9,000 
sheep. Mill streams abound in 
Castleton, on wliich are a woolen 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



and other manufacturing establish- 
ments. Lake Bombazine, 7 miles 
in lenijth and 2 in brcadtli, is chief- 
ly in this town. It is stored witii 
tish, and has an islantl near its cen- 
tre of exquisite beauty. The vil- 
lage of Castlefon is elevated, neat- 
ly built, and presents a great vari- 
ety of rich and beautiful scenery. 

Caventlisli, Vt. 

Windsor co. There are two flour- 
ishing villages in Cavendish, Dut- 
ton's villas^e and Proctorsville. It 
is watered by Black river and Twen- 
ty Mile Stream, which affo'-d a good 
hydraulic power. Here are in op- 
eration 4 large woolen factories, 
iron works, manufactures of tin, 
and many other branches of me- 
chanics. Along the streams the 
soil is excellent; the high land is 
good, but best adapted to grazing. 
Here are about 6,000 sheep. Tlie 
channel of Black river, at the falls, 
has been worn down 100 feet. The 
effects of the water, at this place, 
are very curious. Hawk's moun- 
tain separates this town from Balti- 
more. Cavendish, in common with 
most of the towns in Vermont, pre- 
sents a great variety of mountain 
scenery. It lies 10 miles S. W. 
from Windsor, and 60 S. from Mont- 
pelier. First settled, 1769. Pop- 
ulation, 1S30, 1,498. 

Ceiitre-Harljor, "S. H., 

Strafford co., Is situated between 
Winnepisiogee and Squam lakes; 
hounded N. E. by Moultonhorough, 
S. E. by Meredi'th, S. W. by New 
Hampton, N. W. by Holdcrness 
and Squam lake. It is distant 39 
miles from Concord, 60 from Ports- 
mouth, and 104 from Boston. — 
Measley pond and Squam lake are 
partly in this town. The latter fur- 
nishes fine trout, and has several 
islands valuable for grazing. The 
soil is very good, mostly a rich loam. 
The town is pleasantly situated, and 
its local position probably gave rise 
to its name. The first settlements 



were made by Ebenezer Chamber- 
lain, in 1765, and Col. Joseph Sen- 
tcr, in 1767. Population, in 1830, 
577. 

Cliamplain Lake. 

This delightful expanse of water 
is the boundary line between New 
York and Vermont. Vermont em- 
braces about two thirds of its sur- 
face. New York is on the W. side, 
and the counties of Franklin, Chit- 
tenden, Addison, and a part of Rut- 
land, in the state of Vermont, lie 
on the E. At the N. it extends a 
fow miles into Lower Canada, and 
receives the waters of Pike river. 
It discharges into the St. Lawrence 
by the Richelieu, Sorel, orChambly 
liver. Among its tributaries I'rora 
Vermont are the Missisque, Lam- 
oille, Onion, Otter, and Pawlet riv- 
ers. From New York it receives 
the wafers of the Chazy, Saranac, 
Sable, Bouquet, and Wood rivers, 
and of Lalie George. Its length is 
about 130 miles : its breadth varies 
from 1 to 12 miles : average breadth 
about 3 miles. It abounds wiih 
salmon, trout, pickerel and other 
fish. It is navigable for vessels 
of 90 tons burthen, and splen- 
did steamboats are continually ply- 
ing, in the season of navigation, 
from Whitehall, along its beautiful 
shores, to St. John's in Canada. — 
This lake contains about 60 islands, 
is I'emarkable lor its splendid scene- 
ry, and renowned in ancient and 
modern stories for its scenes of war- 
like achievements. Lake Chnm- 
plain is a great resort, both for bu- 
siness and pleasure. 

In the Register, under Burling- 
ton, may be found some notes for 
travellers. 

Cliaplin, Ct. 

Windham co. Taken from Mans- 
field, Hampton and Windham, in 
1S32. It is watered by Natchaug 
river, which passes nearly through 
its centre. The town is small, but 
the soil is good, and populated by 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



industrious farmers, who, by their 
practice of keeping a large number 
of sheep, seem to be convinced of 
the fact that wool is one of the most 
important staples of New England. 
It lies 10 miles W. by N. from 
Brooklyn, and 30 E. by N. from 
Hartford. 

Cliarleiuont, Mass. 

Franklin co. Deerficld river me- 
anders through this town, and gives 
it a good water power. Garrisons 
were erected here in 17.54, against 
the savage French and Indians. 
Their remains are now visible. In- 
corporated, 1765. Population, 1837, 
994. It lies 110 miins W. N. W. 
from Boston, and 14 VV'. by N. from 
Greenfield. Although this is a 
mountainous township, it contains 
much valuable land. It maintains 
about 5,000 merino and other sheep. 
Its manufactures consist of boots, 
shoes, leather, iron castings, axes, 
hoes, palm-leaf hats, saddlery, 
scyUie snaiths, and lather boxes. 

Cliai-les Rivers. 

Charles river, in Massachusetts, 
is the Quinobequin of the Indians. 
This river rises on tlie borders of 
Hopkinton and Milford, and after 
meandering through Bellingham, 
Franklin, Medway, Medfield, Sher- 
burne, Dover, Dedham, Need- 
ham, Natick, Newton, Waltham 
and Watertown, it meets tlie tide 
waters, and forms a part of Boston 
harbor. It is navigable to Water- 
town, 7 miles W. from Boston. 

Charles river, in R. I., has its 
source in Warden's pond, in South 
Kingston, and empties into the 
Pawcatuck, at Westerly. 

Charleston, Me. 

Penobscot co. At the source of 
Pushaw lake. Bounded W. by Gar- 
land. It lies 25 miles S. W. from 
Belfast, and 73 N. W. from Augus- 
ta. This township is tine wheat 
land ; it yielded, in 1S37, 7,606 



bushels. Incorporated, 18.11. Pop- 
ulation, 1837, 1,110. 

CUai-lcston, Vt. 

Orleans co. Echo pond, the out- 
let of lake Seymour, waters this 
town. Lake Seymour is a large 
sheet of water, and passes N. into 
lake Memphremagog. Charleston 
lies about 35 miles N.E. from Hyde- 
park, 55 N. N. E. from Montpelier, 
and 15 S. of Canada line. Popula- 
tion, 1830, 564. 

Cliarlesto-»vn, N. H., 

Sullivan co., is situated on Con- 
necticut river, 51 miles from Con- 
cord, 100 from Boston, 100 from 
Albany, 110 from Hartford, Conn., 
and 18 miles from Windsor, Vt. 
The only rivers in Charlestown 
are the Connecticut and Little Su- 
gar rivers. In the former, there 
are three islands within the limits 
of this town, the largest of which 
contains about ten acres, and is call- 
ed Sartwell's island. The othei-s 
contain about six acres each, and 
have a rich loamy soil. Sartwell's 
island is under a high cultivation. 
There are no falls in this river with- 
in the limits of Charlestown which 
interrupt the boat navigation, al- 
though some little inconvenience 
is experienced in low water from 
what are called " Sugar river bars." 
Little Sugar river waters the north 
part of Charlestown, and empties 
into Connecticut river about two 
miles south of the S. line of Clare- 
mont. This town has but few fac- 
tory or mill privileges. The soil 
is extremely various. West of 
tlie great road leading from Wal- 
pole to Claremont, are not less than 
1,500 acres of hue intervale land, 
generally of a deep, rich and loamy 
soil, and favorable for the culture 
and growth of most of the various 
kinds of grass and grain. In the 
E. and N. E. parts of the town, the 
soil of the upland is good — the nat- 
ural growth of wood, consisting 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



principally of beech, birch, oak, 
maple and hemlock. Tliere is a 
ridge of hard, broken, and in some 
parts stony, land, east of the river 
road, extcudiiia; almost the whole 
length of the town, and whicli is 
considered unfit for settlements. 
The south part of the town appears 
to have a ililferent soil, and is favor- 
able for yielding the lighter grains. 
Charlestown contains two parishes, 
which are divided by a line run- 
ning from Cheshire bridge S. 87'^ 
E., to the corner of Ac worth and 
Unity. In the south parish, there 
is a handsome village, delightfully 
situated, at the distance of about 
half a mile from Connecticut river, 
and parallel with it. In the north 
parish is a meeting-house and a 
small \".llage. Cheshire bridge, 
about 2 miles N. of the S. meeting- 
house, connects this town with 
Springfield, Vt. From this bridge 
Cheshire turnpike leads southerly 
through the principal village, to 
Keene. Charlestown was granted 
by Massachusetts, Dec. 31, 17.35, 
by the name of S\'iimber 4, which 
is sometimes applied to it at the 
present day. 

On the 2d July, 1753, No. 4 was 
incorporated by the name of Charles- 
town. The cliarter was granted by 
Gov. Benning Wentworth to Jo- 
seph Wells, Phinehas Stevens and 
others, who were purchasers under 
the old grantees. In 1754, the French 
war commenced — and the inhabit- 
ants were obliged to take up their 
residence in the fort. The first set- 
tlers of Charlestown, like the first 
inhabitants of almost every frontier 
town in New England, were, prior 
to 1760, the victims of savage cru- 
elty. For twenty years after the 
first settlement, their neighbors on 
the N. were the French in Canada, 
on the W. the Dutch, near the 
Hudson, on the E. the settlements 
on Merrimack river, and on the S. 
few were found until arrived at 
Northfield, in Massachusetts, a dis- 
tance of more than 40 miles. The 



Indians were at peace but a small 
portion of that time. From their 
infancy, the settlers had been fa- 
miliar with danger, and had acquir- 
ed a hardihood unknown to poster- 
ity. When they attended public 
worship, or cultivated their lands, 
they sallied from the fort prepared 
for battle, and worshipped or labor- 
ed under the protection of a senti- 
nel. In their warfare, the Indians 
preferred prisoners to scalps, and 
i'ew were killed but those who at- 
tempted to escape, or appeared too 
formidable to be encountered with 
success. The first child born in 
Charlestown was Elizabeth, the 
daughter of Isaac Parker. She was 
born 1744, and died in 1806.— 
Charlestown has been favored with 
a number of eminent men, only 
one of which we have room to men- 
tion. Capt. Phinehas Stevens 
was one of the first settlers. The 
town when in its infancy was pro- 
tected by his intrepidity. He was 
a native of Sudbury, Mass., from 
whence his father removed to Rut- 
land. At the age of 16, while his 
father was making hay, he, with 
three little brothers, followed him 
to the meadows. They were am- 
bushed by the Indians, who killed 
two of his brothers, took him pris- 
oner, and were preparing to kill his 
youngest brother, a child four years 
old. He, by signs to the Indians, 
made them understand if they 
would spare him, he would carry 
him on his back — and he carried 
him to Canada. They were redeem- 
ed and both returned. He receiv- 
ed several commissions from Gov. 
Shirley, and rendered important 
services in protecting the frontiers. 
In 1747, when Charlestown was 
abandoned by the inhabitants, lie 
was oi-dered to occupy the fort with 
30 men. On the 4th of April, he 
was attacked by 400 French and In- 
dians, under Alons. Debeline. The 
assault lasted three days. Indian 
stratagem and French skill, with 
fire ajiplied to every combustible 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



about the fort, had not the desired 
effect. The heroic band were not 
appalled. They refused to capitu- 
late. At length an interview be- 
tween the commanders took place. 
The Frenchman shewed his forces, 
and described the horrid massacre 
that must ensue unless the fort was 
surrendered. " My men are not 
afraid to die," was the answer made 
by Capt. Stevens. The attack con- 
tinued with increased fury until 
the end of the third day, when the 
enemy returned to Canada, and left 
Capt. Stevens in possession of the 
fort. Capt. Stevens, for his gallant- 
ry on this occasion, was presented 
l)y Sir Charles Knowles with an el- 
egant sword; and from this circum- 
stance the township, when it was 
incorporated, in 1753, took the name 
of Charlestown. Population, in 
1830, 1,778. 

CUarlesto^vn, Mass. 

Middlesex co. The Indian name 
of this town was JMishaunm. First 
settled, 1628. Incorporated, 1629. 
Population, 1820, 6,591 ; 1830, 
8,787; 1837,10,101. Charlestown 
is a peninsula, formed by Charles 
and Mystic rivers, and is united 
to Boston by Charles and Warren 
bridges. It is also united to Boston 
as a port of entry, and in its various 
commercial and manufacturing pur- 
suits. This town is noted for its 
sacrifices in the cause of liberty ; 
and its soil will ever be dear to the 
patriot's bosom. The town is not 
so regularly laid out as Philadel- 
phia, yet it is neatly built, and con- 
tains many elegant public and pri- 
vate edifices. The streets arc wide 
and airy, and many of them have 
recently been planted with trees 
for shade. Considerable shipping 
is owned here, engaged in foreign 
and domestic commerce. The an- 
nual value of the cod and mackerel 
fisheries is about $40,000. The 
value of the manufactures, in 
Charlestown, the year ending April 
1 , 1837, exclusive of a large amount 



of leather, was $390,000. The ar- 
ticles manufactured were as fol- 
lows : soap, candles, boots, shoes, 
hats, morocco, chairs, cabinet ware, 
vessels, combs, tin ware, and spirits. 

The United States' JVavy Yard 
was first established in this town 
about the year 1798. The yard is 
situated on the N. side of Charles 
river, on a plot of ground of about 
60 acres. It is enclosed by a high 
wall of durable masonry, and con- 
tains several ware-houses, dwell- 
ing-houses for the officers, and a 
large amount of naval stores, Jive 
oak and other timber. It also con- 
tains three large ship-houses, in 
which are the Vermont and Caro- 
lina of 74, and the Cumberland 
frigate of 44 guns. These ships 
can be launched and ready for sea 
in a very short time. 

The dry dock at this place is of 
hewn granite, and of unrivalled 
masonry. It is 341 feet in length, 
80 in width, and 30 in depth. It 
cost ,$670,089. This dock was com- 
pleted and received the Constitu- 
tion on the 24th of June, 1833. — 
Connected with this establishment 
are a naval hospital and magazine, 
at Chelsea, and a large ropewalk in 
the yard ; other additions are con- 
templated. This is considered one 
of the best naval depots in the Uni- 
ted States. 

JMcLean Asylum. This estab- 
lishment is located on a beautiful 
rise of ground, in Charlestown, near 
East Cambridge, and about a mile 
and a half from the City Hall, in 
Boston. The buildings are large, 
and exceedingly well adapted to 
their philanthropic desitcn. They 
cost about $186,000. this House 
was opened for patients on the 6th 
of October, 1818. 

Belonging to, and surrounding 
this Asylum, are about 15 acres of 
land, appropriated to courts and gar- 
dens. Chese are laid out with grav- 
elled walks. The former are furnish- 



NEW ENGLAiND GAZETTEER. 



ed witli Slimmer houses, and the 
latter are ornamented with jiroves 
of fruit and ornamental trees, shrub- 
bery and flowers. .Siiri-oun(lin!f tlie 
lower jjarden and within the enclo- 
sure, is a carriage path, where pa- 
tients are taken to ride. In the 
centre is a small fresli water pond, 
containing several hundred gold and 
silver fish, and immediately contig- 
uous is a summer house, where the 
patients at times resort for games 
and amusements. 

The system of moral treatment 
adopted and pursued, is founded up- 
on principles of elevated bencvo- 
leucc and philanthropy, and an ac- 
quaintance with human nature and 
the capabilities and wants of the 
insane. Tlie previous tastes, hab- 
its and pursuits, and the present in- 
clinations and feelings of each in- 
dividual, are habitually consulted. 
A library for the use of the patients 
has been purchased, and those of 
them who are disposed to read, are 
permitted at stated periods to send 
in their names and the number of 
the book desired ; the list is exam- 
ined and approved by the physician, 
and tlie books are distributed by the 
librarian. In the same way, writ- 
ing materials are distributed, and 
patients are engaged in keeping 
journals — writing sketches of their 
lives — poetry — addressing letters to 
their friends, drawing, &.c. Some 
engage in games, as bowling — 
throwing the ring — battledore — gra- 
ces — ^jumping the rope — chess — 
draughts — liack gammon, itc, or 
are occu[)ied in walking and riding 
into the country, or in nuking fish- 
ing excursions in the company of 
their attendants; while others are 
working on the farm and in the 
garden. The female patients, be- 
sides being employed in various 
kinds of needle anil ornamental 
work, are engaged in various do- 
mestic labors. The quiet and con- 
valescent patients regularly attend 
the religious exercises of the fam- 
ily, and a portion of them join in 

8 



the vocal and instrumental music 
of the occasion; a part of this num- 
ber also attend church on the Sab- 
bath, in company with the nurses 
and attendants, and dine with the 
family. A regulated intercourse 
with the family and society is re- 
garded as an important auxiliary in 
the means of cure, and on suitable 
occasions they are invited into the 
house, where parties are made for 
their special amusement and bene- 
fit. 

John McLleaist, Esq., late of 
Boston, an eminent merchant, be- 
queathed a large amount of prop- 
erty to this institution ; hence its 
name. 

Bunker Hill Monxunent. On the 
17th of June, 1S25, the corner stone 
of an Obelisk was laid on the heights 
in this town, bj^ the illustrious La 
Fayette, to commemorate the battle 
between the Americans and Brit- 
ish on the 17tli of June, 1775. In 
that battle, 449 Americans and 
1,055 Britons were slain. Charles- 
town was burnt by the British the 
same day. The site of the Monu- 
ment is 62 feet above the level of 
the sea. It is of hewn granite, 
and, when completed, will be 3t> 
feet square at the base, 15 feet 
square at the top, and 220 feet in 
height. It is now raised about 60 
feet, and will probably be complet- 
ed in one or two years. The cost 
of it will be about $100,000. 

The State Prison. This institu- 
tion was founded in 1800, and soon 
after located on a point of hind in 
this town, near East Cambridge, 
and which is connected with Canal 
bridge by a lateral bridge of 1,820 
feet in length. After having strug- 
gled with many and great difficul- 
ties attendant on the establishment 
of an institution so entirely new, 
the state, by the agency of suitable 
men, have so placed it as to effect 
all the objects proposed, without 
any expense to the cominonwealth. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER, 



Charlestovrn, R. !• 

Washington co. Charlestown lies 
on the sea, opposite to Block Island. 
It has five large ponds, which cov- 
er an area of 7 square miles. — 
Charlestown and Conaquetogue 
ponds are salt water, and Posquis- 
settjWatchaug and Cochumpaug are 
fresh water. These waters afford a 
great variety of fish. Near the 
sea, the land is arable, but the inte- 
rior of the town is more fit for the 
growth of wood. This town con- 
tains the graves of the remnant of 
the tribe of tlie once powerful and 
dreaded Naraganset Indians. They 
possessed a considerable tract of 
land in this town, but owing to 
a dislike to agricultural pursuits, 
and by intermarriages with the 
whites and negroes, their race as a 
distinct people has long since be- 
come extinct. Charles liver pas- 
sea through the town, and gives it 
mill privileges. Charlestown lies 
about S miles W. S. W. from South 
Kingston, and 40 S. W. from Provi- 
dence. Population, 1830, 1,284. 

Charlotte, Me. 

Washington co. Incorporated, 
18i.j. Population, 1837, «12. About 
25 miles N. W. from Machias, and 
184 E. by N. from Augusta. Char- 
lotte contains a pond, the waters 
of which pass through Dennysville 
and empty in Cobscook bay. 

Charlotte, Vt. 

This is a pleasant town, in Chit- 
tenden county, on lake Cham- 
plain, and opposite to Essex, N. 
Y. In Essex, about 3 miles across 
the lake, is SjilitJiock, a great nat- 
ural curiosity. Charlotte lies 49 
miles W. of Montpelier, 11 S. of 
Burlington and 21 N. W. of Mid- 
dlebury. A part of this town grad- 
ually slopes toward the lake, and 
is very productive. Its trade is 
chiefly with Canada. From the 
principal village, " The Four Cor- 



ners," the lake, and the mountains 
that skirt its borders, present a very 
romantic appearance. Population, 
in 1830, 1,702. 

Cliarltoii, Mass. 

Worcester co. Charlton was set 
off from Oxford, 17.54. It lies 53 
miles S. W. from Boston, and 12 
W. N. W. from Worcester. Pop- 
ulation, 1837, 2,4G9. There is a 
cotton mill in this town, and some 
manufactures of leather and shoes. 

CliatUam, TS. H., 

Strafford co., is situated on the 
E. side of the Wliite Mountains, 
and adjoining the line which divides 
this state from Maine. It has Con- 
way on the S., Bartlett and Jackson 
on the W., Mount Royse on the 
N. Chatham was granted to Peter 
Livius and others, Feb. 7, 1767. 
There are several ponds in Chat- 
ham, and some considerable streams. 
The surface is mountainous and 
rocky, and can never sustain a 
great population. Between Chat- 
ham and Jackson, Carter's moun- 
tain rises so high as to prevent the 
opening a road between the two 
towns ; so that in holding an inter- 
course with the rest of the county, 
the inhabitants are obliged to pass 
through part of the state of Maine. 
Population, in 1830, 419. 

CliatUaiu, Mass., 

Barnstable co., lies on the el- 
bow of Cape Cod, south side. Pleas- 
ant bay, inside of Chatham beach, 
forms a good harbor. Chatham is 
20 miles E. from Barnstable, and 
32 S. S. E. from Provincetown. 
Incorporated, 1712. Population, 
1837, 2,271. The value of the cod 
and mackerel fisheries, for the year 
ending April 1, 1837, was $56,- 
100;— value of salt made, $8,220; 
— value of boots and shoes made, 
iS!l,500. There are, belonging to 
this place, about 20 sail of fisher- 
men and 30 coasters. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



Cliatliani, Ct. 

^liddlesex co. The township of 
Chatham embraces Chitham par- 
ish, (formerly East Middletown,) 
tlie greater part of Middle Haddam 
parish, the parish of East Hampton 
and a ])art o^' the parish of West 
Chester. It lies 16 miles S. from 
Hartford, and opposite to Middle- 
town, from which it was taken in 
1767. Population, 1830, 3,646. 
Chatliam is watered by Salmon and 
Pine brooks and several ponds. — 
Job's pond, about 2 miles in cir- 
cumference, has no outlet. It rises 
and falls about 1-5 feet. It rises for 
six or twelve months, and then falls 
about the same period. It is high- 
est in the driest season of the year, 
and lowest when there is most rain. 
It is from 40 to 60 feet deep. Chat- 
ham is noted for its valuable quar- 
ries of freestone. " For forty years 
past it has been extensively improv- 
ed, and tlic stone, to the depth of 
thirty feet from the surface, arc now 
removed over an area of an acre 
and a half, back from the river. 
The stone in this quarry is covered 
in some places with four or five 
feet of earth, and in others with 
four or five feet more of shelly rock. 
It is not pei-foctly solid, but lies in 
blocks, eight or ten feet thick, and 
fifty and sixty feet long. The seams 
and joints facilitate the process of 
removing these from tlieir beds ; 
and when removed, they are reduc- 
ed by the wedge and chisel to any 
size or form which is wished. In 
this quarry thirty hands have been 
employed for several years, eight 
months in the year, and from four 
to six teams. The quantity of stone 
prepared for market, and sold to the 
inhabitants of this and the neigh- 
boring towns, and exported to dis- 
tant parts of the country, has been 
very great; and has yielded a hand- 
some profit. Fifty rods south of 
this quarry an opening was made 
about 17S3, now spreading over 
half an acre. Here the stone is 



covered with about ten feet of 
earth. In this opening as many as 
twelve hands have been sometimes 
employed. Vessels come to this 
and the above quarry, and load from 
the bank. The bed of stone in 
which these and the smaller open- 
ings in the neighborhood have been 
made is immense, and lies at differ- 
ent depths from the surface in dif- 
ferent places. It has been discov- 
ered in sinking wells, for half a 
mile in northern and southern di- 
rections, and has been opened at a 
greater distance eastward. Where- 
ever found, the stone possesses the 
same general properties, but varies, 
like the freestone in Middletown, 
in the lineness of its texture." 

Clieliusfortl, Mass. 

Middlesex CO. On the south side 
of IMerrimack river, and connect- 
ed with Dracut by a bridge. — 
First settled, 1753. Incorporated, 
1655. Population, 1837, 1,613. It 
lies 25 miles N. \V. from Boston, 
and 4 S. W. from Lowell. Chelms- 
ford abounds in limestone and gran- 
ite ; considerable of the latter is 
transported to Boston by the Mid- 
dlesex canal, which passes through 
the town. The manufactures of 
this town, during the year ending 
April 1, 1837, amounted to about 
.f 100,000 ; — principally of glass and 
iron. 

Clielsca, Vt. 

County town of Orange county. 
First settled, 1785. Chelsea is a 
township of good land, with a pleas- 
ant village in the centre. It is wa- 
tered by the head branches of White 
river and has a good hydraulic pow- 
er. Its manufactures consist of 
cassimere, satinet, leather, iron, &c. 
Chelsea produces all the various 
commodities common to the climate, 
and feeds about 6,000 sheep. It lies 
20 miles S. by E. from Montpelier. 
Population, 1830, 1,958. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



Chelsea, Mass. 

Suffolk CO. This town was for- 
merly a ward of Boston. Incor- 
porated, 1738. Population, 1837, 
1,659. The centre of the town lies 
from Boston about 3 miles N. E., 
across Charles river, and 8 miles 
E. of Charlestown. The manufac- 
tures of Chelsea consist of uphol- 
stery, stone ware, snuff, segars, 
wood and copper engravings, car- 
riages, bricks, vessels, salt, boots, 
shoes, Stc. ; — annual value, about 
$90,000. 

The United States Marine Hos- 
pital in this town, is on a large plot 
of ground, in a delightful and airy 
situation, and affords a comfortable 
retreat for sick and disabled seamen. 
Point Shirley, extending southeast- 
erly, forms the northern part of Bos- 
ton harbor. Winnesimet Ferry, lead- 
ing from the foot of Hanover street, 
in Boston, to this town, is probably 
the oldest establishment of the kind 
in America. The first grant was 
given to Thomas Williams, in 1631. 
The distance across Charles river is 
about a mile and a half. Neat and 
commodious steam-boats are con- 
tinually running across this delight- 
ful stream, making the Winnesi- 
met of the Indians the Hoboken of 
Boston. 

Clterryfield, Me. 

Washington co. At the head of 
tide water, on both sides of Narra- 
guagus river, with a handsome vil- 
lage, and considerable trade. Incor- 
porated, 1815. Population, 1837, 
1,000. 116 miles E. by N. from 
Augusta, and about 35 W. from 
Machias. 

Clieshire Cownty, N. H. 

Chesliire is one of the western 
counties in this state. Its length 
is 31 miles : its greatest breadth 26 
miles: and its least breadth 15. It 
is bounded N. by the county of 
Sullivan, E. by Hillsborough coun- 
ty, S. by the state of Massachu- 



setts, and W. by Vermont. This 
county contains 727 square miles. 
Throughout the whole extent on 
the west, it is watered by the Con- 
necticut, the western bank of which 
forms the boundary line between 
New Hampshire and Vermont. 
Ashuelot river is a considerable 
stream, and is tributary to Connec- 
ticut river. It has its source from 
a pond in Washington, and after re- 
ceiving two branches in Keene and 
Swanzey, and several smaller 
streams in Winchester, empties 
into Connecticut river at Hinsdale. 
Spafford's Lake, a beautiful collec- 
tion of water, of about 8 miles in 
circumference, is situated in Ches- 
terfield. There is a pleasant island 
in the lake, containing about eight 
acres. The Grand Monadnock, in 
Dublin and Jaffrey, is the highest 
mountain, its attitude having been 
repeatedly found to be more than 
3,000 feet above the level of the 
sea. Bellows' Falls' in Connecti- 
cut river, at Walpole, have been 
regarded as one of the greatest nat- 
ural curiosities iu this county. 

The earliest settlement in this 
county was made about the year 
1732, at Hinsdale, then a part of 
Northfield, and under the govern- 
ment of Massachusetts. The coun- 
ty was formed March 19, 1771, and 
it probably received its name from 
Cheshire, one of the western coun- 
ties in England. The population 
of Cheshire county in 171>0, was 
19,665, in 1800, 24,288, in 1810, 
2 1,673, in 1820, 26,843, in 1830, 
27,016. It has 22 towns:— 39 in- 
habitants to a square mile. Keene, 
the chief town, is nearly in the 
centre of the county, and lies in 
N. lat. 42° 57'. 

CUesliii-e, Mass. 

Berkshire CO. Cheshire has ren- 
dered itself worthy of its name by 
its production of cheese of fine fla- 
vor and quality. In 1801, the good 
people of this place sent a cheese 
to Mr. Jefferson, weighing about 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



1200 pounds. The value of wool, 
the growth of 183(),sol(l for $.5,522. 
The Hoosack river passes through 
the town. Altliough a mountain- 
ous township, the soil has been 
rendered productive by the industry 
of the people. It lias some manu- 
factures of leather and shoes. 125 
miles W. N. W. from Boston, and 
16 X. by E. from Lenox. Popula- 
tion, 1837, 924. Incorporated, 1793. 

Chesliire, Ct. 

New Haven co. Taken from 
Wallingford in 1780. It lies 14 
miles N. from New Haven, and 25 
S. E. from Hartford. Population, 
1830, 1,780. The Quinnipiac river 
and Farmington canal pass througli 
tlie town. Cheshire has an un- 
even, but good soil, with a very 
pleasant village, and an Episcopal 
academy, 54 by 34 feet ; — a brick 
building of considerable taste. Ag- 
riculture is the chief occupation of 
the inhabitants. 

Cliester, Me. 

Penobscot co. Incorporated, 1834. 
Population, 1337, 323. See Bar- 
nard, Me. 

Chester, N. H., 

Rockingham co., is 17 miles W. S. 
W. from Exeter, 30 W. S. W. from 
Portsmouth, 17 N. W. from Haver- 
hill, and 23 S. E. from Concord. 
A branch of Exeter river, called 
"The Branch," flows through the 
N. E. part of Chester, beside which 
there is no stream deserving men- 
tion. Massabcsick pond is the larg- 
est body of fresh water in the coun- 
ty, and contains about 1,500 acres. 
The line between this town and 
Manchester passes more than 2 
miles through the westerly part of 
this pond. The Indians had a set- 
tlement of 10 or 12 wigwams on an 
island in this pond, vestiges of 
which, it is said, may still be seen. 
A considerable portion of the town 
possesses a good soil, and many of 
the large swells yield in fertility to 

8* 



none in tlie state. There are sever- 
al large and valuable meadows. In 
this town are two caves, sometimes 
visited by strangers. That which 
was earliest noticed, is situated in 
j\Iine hill, near the east side of 
Massabcsick pond. The entrance 
is about 5 feet high and 2 1-2 wide. 
The cavern extends into the hill, in 
a northern direction, about 80 feet, 
of sutHcient dimensions to admit a 
person to pass. Its form is very ir- 
regular, and its height and breadth 
various, from 2 to 12 feet. The oth- 
er is in the westerly side of Rattle- 
snake hill, in the S. W. part of the 
town, in a ledge of coarse granite, 
nearly 40 feet high. It has two 
entrances. The north entrance is 
about 11 feet high and 4 broad. 
Native sulphur is found in this town 
in small quantities, imbedded in 
tremolite. Granite and gneiss are 
the prevailing rocks, and handsome 
specimens of graphic granite are 
sometimes found. The village in 
this town is pleasant, and stands 
chiefly on a long street. It is the 
principal place of business in this 
part of the county, and Is situated 
on an elevated rise, commanding 
one of the most extensive prospects 
in New England. From this hill, 
the ocean, though more than 20 
miles distant, may, in a clear day, 
be distinctly seen. Population, 
1830,2,039. Incorporated, 1722. 

Cliester, Vt. 

Windsor co. First settled, 1764. 
Population, 1830, 2,320. Three 
considerable streams form William's 
river and give Chester a good water 
power. The land is uneven, but 
fertile and productive. This is u 
very pleasant town, with two hand- 
some villages, manufactures of va- 
rious kinds, and about 10,000 sheep. 
This is a great thoroughfare for trav- 
ellers from the eastern part of New 
England to the Hudson river, near 
Troy, N. Y. The passage over the 
Green Mountains, from Chester to 
I Manchester, is considered the best 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



in this part of the state. Chester 
lies 16 miles S. S. AV. from Wind- 
sor, 79 S. from Montpelier, and 
about 30 E. N. E. from Manchester. 

Chester, Mass. 

Hampden co. This is a moun- 
tainous township, but good for graz- 
ing. In 1837, it had 3,720 sheep ; 
their wool weighed 10,325 pounds, 
and sold for $5,818. There are 
2 cotton mills in Chester, 3 tanne- 
ries, and a window blind factory. 
Total amount of manufactures, in 
one year, $47,975. Branches of 
Westfield river pass through the 
town. Incorporated, 1765. Popu- 
lation, 1837, 1,290. 115 miles W. 
by S. from Boston, and 20 N. W. 
from Springfield. 

Chesterfield, N. H., 

Cheshire co., is 11 miles S. W. 
from Keene, and 65 S. W. from 
Concord. Few towns on Connec- 
ticut river have so little intervale 
land. For the whole six miles that 
it lies upon the river, the hills ap- 
proach near the river's side. There 
is much good upland, well adapted 
for grazing and the production of 
Indian corn. The chief articles 
carried to market are beef, pork, 
butter and cheese. Cat's Bane 
brook is a stream of great import- 
ance, as it furnishes many mill seats. 
Spafford's lake is a beautiful collec- 
tion of water, situated about one 
mile N. from the meeting-house. 
it contains a surface of about 526 
acres. It is fed by springs in its 
bosom. Its waters are remarkably 
clear and pure, its bed being a white 
sand. In this lake there is an isl- 
and of about six acres, which forms 
a delightful retreat. On its E. side 
issues a stream called Partridge's 
brook, sufficiently large to carry 
the machinery of a cotton factory, 
saw-mills, &c. West river moun- 
tain lies in this town and Hinsdale, 
It is supposed to have been once 
subject to a volcanic eruption, and 



there is at present a considerable 
quantity of lava near its crater. It 
is said by those who live near the 
mountain, that it frequently trem- 
bles, and a rumbling noise is heard 
in its bowels. Chesterfield has 3 
villages. The principal one, lead- 
ing from Hartford to Hanover, is sit- 
uated near the centre of the town, 
and 3 miles E. from Connecticut riv- 
er. Here are several dwelling- 
houses, the meeting-house and a 
nourishing academy, which was 
opened Aug. 14, 1794. The first 
settlement was made Nov. 25, 1761, 
on the banks of the Connecticut, by 
Moses Smith and William Thomas, 
with their families. At that peri- 
od, the river afforded abundance of 
shad and salmon, and the forests 
were well stocked with deer, bears 
and other game, so that the inhab- 
itants did not experience those pri- 
vations so common in new settle- 
ments. Population, 1830, 2,040. 

Cliesterfield, Mass. 

Hampshire co. A township of 
rough, elevated land, 97 miles W. 
Irom Boston, and 11 W. N. W. from 
Northampton ; watered by a branch 
of Westfield river. It has a good 
water power, 1 woolen mill, 2 tan- 
neries, some curious minerals, and 
a water course, worn very deep 
through solid rock. Population, 
1837, 1,158. There were sheared 
in Chesterfield, in 1837, 7,100 
sheep, producing 20,800 pounds of 
wool, valued at $12,480. A noble 
example. 

Cliesterville, Me. 

Franklin co. Wilson's stream 
passes through this town, and emp- 
ties below the falls of Sandy river. 
First settled, 1782. Incorporated, 
1802. Population, 1837, 1,040.— 
This is an excellent township of 
land. It yielded, in 1837, 4,046 
bushels of wheat. It lies about 24 
miles N. E. from Augusta, and 12 
N. E. from Farminsfton. 



XEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



C'liesiiiicook Lake, Me., 

In the county of Piscataquis, is 
a large sheet of water through 
which the Penobscot river passes. 
It also receives the Kahkoguamook 
ami Umbazookskus rivers. This 
lake is about 25 miles long and 3 
miles wide. The country around 
tliis fine lake is very fertile, and as 
well adapted to the growing of wool 
and wheat as any portion of the 
globe. Its central point is about 
1-30 miles W. N. AV. from Augusta. 

ClUcliester, N. H., 

Merrimack co., is situated 8 miles 
E. from Concord. It was granted 
]May 20, 1727, to Nathaniel Gookin 
and otlicrs; but the settlement was 
not commenced until 175S, when 
Paul Morrill settled in the woods. 
The soil is good, and richly repays 
the cultivator. There is little waste 
land, nor are there any considerable 
elevations. The east part of the 
town is watered by the Suncook 
river, which affords its mill seats 
and some productive intervale. — 
Population, 1S30, 1,084. In vari- 
ous parts of the town are still to be 
seen traces of Indian settlements ; 
and implements of stone, chisels, 
axes, &c., have frequently been 
found. The vicinity was once the 
residence of a powerful tribe, the 
Penacooks, and their plantations of 
corn, &c., were made on the banks 
of the Suncook. 

ClUckopee River, Mass. 

This river rises in Spencer, Lei- 
cester and Paxton, and receives the 
waters of Quaboag pond, in Brook- 
field. It passes through Warren. 
At Palmer it receives the waters 
of Ware and Swift rivers, and en- 
ters the Connecticut at the N. part 
of Springfield, 7 miles S. from South 
Hadley. 

Cliilmark, Mass. 

Dukes CO. This town lies on the 
S. and W. part of Martha's Vine- 



yard. Gay Head, in this town, 
is the south point of the island ; it 
is 150 feet above the gea, and is 
crowned with one of the five light- 
houses in this county. 

Gay Head is about 60 miles E. 
N. E. of Montauk, on Long Island, 
and bears marks of having been 
subject to volcanic eruptions. The 
place abounds in specimens of min- 
erals worthy the notice of geolo- 
gists. This part of the island is in- 
habited by some descendants of the 
native Indians, who own part of the 
lands. There is some salt manufac- 
tured at this place, and about 7,000 
sheep are kept. Cliilmark was in- 
corporated in 1714. Population, 
1837, 700. It lies 92 miles 8. E. 
from Boston, 33 W. from Nantucket, 
23 S. E. by S. from New Bedford, 
and 12 S. W. by S. from Edgarton. 

China, Me. 

Kennebec co. This is a town- 
ship of excellent land, which pro- 
duced, in 1S37, 12,953 bushels of 
wheat. China is watered by a lake, 
or " Twelve Mile Pond," a tine 
miniature of the beautiful Skane- 
ateles, in the state of New York. 
At the outlet of this pond, into the 
Kennebec, are excellent mill priv- 
ileges. On the bank of the pond 
is a very flourishing village, a steam 
saw-mill, and an academy. Avis- 
it to this place, Albion, Clinton, 
Dixmont, and the neighboring 
towns, where wheat is worth a dol- 
lar and a half a bushel in the barn, 
is a good specific against the tvest- 
ern fever. A trip from Boston to 
China and back again may be per- 
formed in the same number of hours 
that it takes to go up either of the 
canals 100 miles, towards an un- 
seen country. China lies 20 miles 
N. E. from Augusta, 48 S. W. from 
Bangor, and 138 from Boston. Pop- 
ulation, 1837, 2,641. 

Chittcncleu County, Vt. 

Burlington is the chief town. 
This county is bounded N. by 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



Franklin county, E. by Washing- 
ton county, S. by Addison county, 
and W. by Cbaniplain lake. Area, 
500 square miles. Population, 1820, 
16,055; 1830, 21,765. Population 
to a square mile, about 4 4. A 
few settlements commenced in this 
county before the revolution, but 
they were all abandoned during the 
war. Incorporated, 1782. Its soil 
varies frooi rich alluvial meadows 
to light and sandy plains. The 
beautiful Champlain washing its 
western boundary gives it great fa- 
cilities for trade to New York and 
Canada. Its agricultural and man- 
ufacturing products are consider- 
able. In 1837 there were in this 
county about 80,000 sheep. La- 
moille river passes through its N.W. 
corner, and Onion river pierces its 
centre. These streams, with sever- 
al others of smaller size, afford the 
county a good water power. 

Cliitteuden, Vt. 

Rutland co. Most of the lands 
in this town lie on the Green moun- 
tains. Some of the branches of 
White river pass through it. Near 
the head of the Philadelphia branch, 
so called, is a mineral spring, said 
to contain some good qualities. — 
Manganese of an excellent quality 
is found here. In 1837 there weie 
in Chittenden about 700 people, and 
3,000 sheep. About 12 miles N. 
by E. from Rutland, and 40 N. by 
E. from Montpelier. 

Clareniout, N. H., 

Sullivan co., is 12 miles N. from 
Charlestown, 8 W. from Newport, 
47 N. N. W. from Concord, and 97 
W. N. W. from Portsmouth. This 
town is watered by Connecticut and 
Sugar rivers, besides numerous 
brooks and rivulets. Claremont is 
a fine undulating tract of territory, 
covered with a rich gravelly loam, 
converted into the best meadows 
and pastures. The hills are sloping 
acclivities, crowned with elegant 
summits. The intervales on the 



rivers are rich and luxuriant. The 
agricultural products are large and 
valuable. The houses and build- 
ings present a very favorable ap- 
pearance, and indicate the wealth 
and prosperity of the town. In this 
town are a number of manufacto- 
ries of cloth, paper, leather, &c. 
Claremont was granted in 1764. — 
In this town are fine beds of iron 
ore and limestone. It received 
its name from the country seat of 
Lord Clive, an English general. 
The first settlement was made in 
1762, by Moses Spaffbrd and David 
Lynde. Many eminent men have 
resided in this town. The Hon. Ca- 
leb Ellis came to reside in Clare- 
mont about 1800. In 1804, he was 
chosen a member of congress from 
this state ; in 1809 and 1810, a mem- 
ber of the executive council : in 
1812, an elector of president and 
vice-president of the U. S. In 1813, 
he was appointed judge of the su- 
perior court, in which office he re- 
mained till his death, May 9, 1816, 
aged 49. Population, 1830, 2,526,. 

Clarenileii, "Vt. 

Rutland co. Otter creek. Mill 
and Cold rivers and several brooks 
give this town good mill privileges. 
Here are good marble, a mineral 
spring, and a cuiious cave. The 
soil is a gravelly loam, with con- 
siderable alluvial meadow along its 
streams. There are some manu- 
facturing establishments in Claren- 
den, and about 13,000 sheep. Pop- 
ulation, 1830, 1,585. It lies 55 miles 
S. from Montpelier, and 7 S. from 
Rutland. 

Clarksljurgli, Mass. 

Berkshire co. A branch of Hoo- 
sick river passes through this moun- 
tainous township. It lies 125 miles 
W. by N. from Boston, and 27 N. 
by E. from Lenox. Incorpora- 
ted, 1798. Population, 1837, 386. 
Clarksburgh has a small cotton mill, 
5 saw mills, and 255 sheep. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



ClarkSTUle, ]V. H. 

This (own was incorporated in 
1S32. It liatl before that time borne 
the name of the First College 
Grant. It was granted to the trus- 
tees of Dartmouth College, Feb. 5, 
1789. It contains 40, !»()() acres, and 
is situated on Connecticut river, in 
Coos county, N. of Stewartstown. 
Its population, in 1830, was 88. 

Clinton, Me, 

Kennebec co. This fine town- 
ship is bounded on the E. by Ken- 
nebec river. The Sebasticook pass- 
es through the town, and, at the 
falls on that river, affords it a great 
hydraulic power. It has a neat and 
pleasant village on the bank of the 
Sebasticook, some manufactures, 
and large agricultural products. In 
1837 this town produced a consid- 
erable quantity of wool, and 10,807 
bushels of wheat. Incorporated, 
1795. Population, 1837, 2,()42. 
Clinton lies 24 miles N. by E. from 
Augusta, and about 12 S. by E. 
from Skowhegan. 

Cobbessecontee AVaters, Me. 

The pond is a tine sheet of wa- 
ter, lying W. of Hallowcll, and 
connected with smaller ponds in 
Monmouth, Winthrop, Rcadtield, 
and Mount Vernon. The outlet 
of the pond is a river of the same 
name, which passes into a beauti- 
ful pond we see on the stage road in 
Richmond, and empties into the 
Kennebec at Gardiner. These wa- 
ters afford a great hydraulic power, 
an abundance of hsh, and much de- 
lightful scenery. 

Cobscook Fay, Me. 

A large bay, the recipient of a 
number of large ponds, on the S. 
W. side of Eastport, in Passama- 
quoddy bay. See Eastport. 

Cotl, Cape und Bay. 

Having briefly described this 
cape, under Barnstable county, we 



have only to add that Cape Cod light 
is in N. lat. 42° 2' 22" ; W. Ion. 
70° 4' 22". 

Cape Cod bay is in Massadiu- 
setts bay, and is formed by the half 
extended arm of the cape. See 
Barnstable county. 

Cohassct, Mass. 

Norfolk CO. A town on Massa- 
chusetts bay, noted for its rocky 
coast and numerous shipwrecks. 6 
miles E. from Hingham, 20 E. by 
S. from Dedham, and about 16 S. 
E. from Boston, by water. Incor- 
porated, 1770. Population, 1S37, 
1,331. This place has about 40 sail 
of merchant, coasting' and fishing 
vessels, and a large tide-water pow- 
er. Cohasset has become a great 
resort for citizens and strangers, in 
summer months, to enjoy the ma- 
rine scenery, exhilarating air, and 
all those pleasures for which .A'o- 
hant is celebrated. The value of 
the fisheries, for the year ending 
April 1, 1837, was $7"5,.536. The 
value of salt, vessels, boots, shoes, 
and wooden ware manufactured, 
was §!3.'),920. 

CoIcUester, Vt., 

Chittenden CO., is pleasantly sit- 
uated at the head of a bay on the 
E. side of lake Cliamplain, 36 miles 
N. W. from Montpelier, and 6 N. 
from Burlington. This town is well 
watered by Onion liver, and some 
smaller streams. Colchester has 
some good and some poor land, some 
trade on the lake, and about 4,000 
sheep. First settled by Gen. Ira 
Allen, in 1774. Population, 1S30, 
1,489. 

Colcliestcr, Ct. 

New London co. This is a plea- 
sant town; the site of Bacon acad- 
emy. It lies 20 nules N. W. from 
New London, and 23 S. E. from 
Hartford. First settled, 1701. Pop- 
ulation, 1S30, 2,068. The surface 
of the town is uneven, with a stron;< 



NEW EXtiLAND GAZETTEER. 



gravelly soil. Excellent iron ore 
is found here. 

Rev. John Bulhley, a gramlson 
of president Chauncy, was the first 
settled minister in this place. Mr. 
Bulkley was a very distinguished 
scholar. He died in 1731. He 
published a curious treatise, in 
which he contended that the In- 
dians had no just claims to any lands 
but such as they had subdued and 
improved by their own labor. The 
following story is told in an old book. 

" The Rev. Mr. Bulkley of Col- 
chester, Conn., was famous in his 
day as a casuist and sage counsel- 
lor. A church in his neighborhood 
had fallen into unhappy divisions 
and contentions, which they were 
unable to adjust among themselves. 
They deputed one of their number 
to the venerable Bulkley, for his 
services, with a request that he 
would send it to them in writing. 
The matters were taken into serious 
consideration, and the advice, with 
much deliberation, committed to 
writing. It so happened, that Mr. 
Bulkley had a farm in an extreme 
part of the town, upon which he 
entrusted a tenant. In superscrib- 
ing the two letters, the one for the 
church was directed to the tenant, 
and the one for the tenant to the 
church. The church was conven- 
ed to hear the advice which was to 
settle all their disputes. The mod- 
erator read as follows : You trill see 
to the repair of the fences, that they 
be built high and strong, and you 
tinll take special care of the old 
black bull. This mystical advice 
puzzled the church at first, but an 
interpreter among the more dis- 
cerning ones was soon found, who 
said, Brethren, this is the very ad- 
vice we most need ; the directions 
to repair the fences is to admonish 
us to take good heed in the admis- 
sion and government of our mem- 
bers : we must guard the church 
by our Master's laws, and keej) out 
strange cattle from the fold. And 
we must in a particular manner set 



a watchful guard over the Devil, 
the old black bull, who has done so 
much hurt of late. All perceived 
the wisdom and fitness of Mr. Bulk- 
ley's advice, and lesolved to be gov- 
erned by it. The consequence was, 
all the animosities subsided, and 
harmony was restored to the long 
alilicted church." 

Colel>rook, N. H., 

Coos CO., on Connecticut river, 
about 35 miles N. of Lancaster. It 
is watered by the Mohawk river 
and Beaver brook. The soil here 
is rich, and capable of culture. In- 
tervales of good quality stretch 
along the Connecticut. Colebrook 
v.'as originally granted to Sir George 
Colebrook and others, and was in- 
corporated Dec. 1, 1790. There is 
an academy in this town, incorpo- 
rated in 1833. Population, 1330, 
512. 

Colebrook, Ct. 

Litchfield co. An elevated town- 
ship of a hard gravelly soil and un- 
even surface, on the line of Mas- 
sachusetts ; 31 miles N. W. from 
Hartford, and 18 N. E. from Litch- 
field. The eastern part of the town 
is watered by Farmington river. 
Here are a number of good mill 
seats, and a manufactory of broad- 
cloth. The village is very plea- 
sant, having Mount Pisgah in the 
rear. First settled, 1765. Popu- 
lation, 1830, 1,332. 

Coleraiiie, Mass. 

Franklin co. This town was first 
settled by a colony from the north 
of Ireland, about the j'ear 1736. It 
lies 105 miles N. W. from Boston, 
and 9 N. W. from Greenfield. It 
is watered by a branch of Deerfield 
river, which produces a water pow- 
er for 3 cotton mills and several 
other manufactories. The manu- 
factures consist of cotton goods, iron 
castings, leathei-, hats, chairs, cab- 
inet ware, ploughs, spades, shovels, 
forks, and hoes ; total value, in one 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



year, $91,000. This is a fine graz- 
ing township, and produced, in 
1837, 16, 12."? pounds of wool, valu- 
ed at $9,133, the fleeces of 5,754 
sheep. Population, 1837, 1,998. 

Colleges in Jiew Euglaud. 

8ec Register. 

Coliiniltia, Me. 

Washington co. At the head of 
tide water, on the W. side of Plea- 
sant river. It is a very large town- 
ship, well provided with mill seats, 
and was settled soon after the rev- 
olutionary war. It lies 15 miles W. 
from Machias, and 120 E. by N. 
from Augusta. Columbia has con- 
siderable trade, particularly in lum- 
ber. Population, 1837, 793. 

Columbia, N. II., 

In tlie county of Coos, lies on the 
E. bank of Connecticut livcr, 30 
miles N. of Lancaster, and 147 N. 
of Concord. The surface of the 
town is quite uneven, the moun- 
tains of Stiatford lying along the 
S. From these a number of streams 
descend north-westerly into the 
Connecticut, furnishing many line 
mill seats. Thei-e are also several 
small ponds in town. On the bor- 
ders of one, called Lime pond, vast 
quantities of shells are found, from 
which a species of lime is made 
that answers for some uses. It 
was incorporated 1797. Population, 
1830, 442. 

Columliia, Ct. 

Tolland co. Taken from Leba- 
non, in 1800. It is 22 miles E. from 
Hartford, and about 14 S. by E. 
from Tolland. Population, 1830, 
962. Columbia is watered by a 
branch of the Willimantic, and has 
a satinet factory, and other ope- 
rations by water. The surface is 
uneven ; the soil hard and gravelly, 
but excellent for grazing. In this 
place, about the year 1741, the Rev. 
Dr. Eleazar Whcelock, the first 
president of Dartmouth College, 



opened a school for the instruction 
of Indian youth. He removed his 
family and pupils to Hanover, N. 
H., in the autumn of 1770. The 
snow was very deep, and Hanover 
was a wilderness. " Sometimes 
standing in the open air, at the head 
of his numerous fami-ly. Dr. Whce- 
lock i)resentcd to God their morn- 
ing and evening piayers : the sur- 
rounding forests, for the first time, 
reverberated the solemn sounds of 
supplication and praise." This good 
man died in 1779, aged 69. 

Concord, Me. 

Somerset co. Incorporated in 
1821. Population, 1837, 524. Con- 
cord lies on the W. side of Kenne- 
bec river, 55 miles N. from Augus- 
ta, and about 20 N. from Norridge- 
wock. This is a good township, 
and produced, in 1837, 3,121 bush- 
els of wheat. 

Concord, K. II., 

The capitolof the state, and shire 
town of the county of Merrimack. 
It lies on both sides of the Merri- 
mack river, in N. lat. 43° 12' 29", 
and W. Ion. 71° 29'; and is 146 
miles S. W. fi-om Augusta, Me. ; 
97 S. E. from INIontpelier, Vt.; 153 
N. E. from Albanv, N. Y. ; 65 N. 
N. W. from Boston, Mass. ; 103 N. 
from Providence, R. I. ; 139 N. N. 
E. from Hartford, Conn., and 474 
N. K. by E. from Washington. 
There are five ponds in Concord, 
the largest of which are Turkey-, in 
the S. W., and Long pond in the 
N. W. parts of the town, on tlie 
streams passing from which are 
some valuable mills and privileges. 
The Contoocook river enters the W. 
corner of the town, and uniting 
with the Merrimack on the N. W. 
line, forms at its junction the cel- 
ebrated Dustoyi's Island. On the 
borders of the Merrimack, which 
is the principal river of this region, 
are rich intervale lan<ls, highly val- 
ued by the inhabitants, and well 
cultivated. Soon after entering 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



Concord, the river passes over Sew- 
nll's falls, or rapids, below which is 
Sewall's island. From thence the 
river has no natural obstruction un- 
til it reaches the falls at the S. E. 
e.xtremity of the town, where is a 
water power, now owned by the 
Anioskeag Manufacturing Compa- 
ny, almost sufficient to move the 
machinery of another Lowell. — 
Locks are here constructed, and 
navigation by boats has been open 
since 1815 during the boating sea- 
son, adding much to the business and 
importance of the place. The riv- 
er is about 100 yards wide opposite 
the town ; but during the great 
freshets which sometimes occur 
here, the river rises 20 feet above 
the ordinary level, presenting to 
the eye a body of water a mile in 
width. There are two handsome 
bridges thrown across the river. 

Tlie principal village, and seat 
of most of the business of the town, 
is on the western side of the river, 
extending nearly two miles between 
flie two bridges ; and is one of the 
most healthy and pleasantly situa- 
ted villages in New England. The 
.state house, state prison and court 
bouse, and five very commodious 
nnd handsome structures for public 
worship, are in this village. The 
state house occupies a beautiful site 
in the centre of the village, and is 
constructed of hewn granite. It is 
126 feet in length, 49 in Avidth, 50 
feet of the centre of the building 
having a projection of 4 feet on 
each front. It rises two stories 
above the basement. The height 
from the ground to the eagle on the 
top of the cupola is 120 feet. The 
cost of the building and appenda- 
ges, $100,000. The state prison is 
also a solid structure of massive 
granite. On the east side of the 
river is the second principal village, 
where the Sewall's Falls Locks and 
Canal Company, recently chartered, 
have commenced their works, 
which, by taking the waters of the 
river in a canal from Sewall's falls. 



will create a vast and valuable wa- 
ter power at this village, that must 
ultimately prove of immense im- 
portance to the town. Another 
handsome village has grown up in 
the west part of the town. The 
intercourse with Lowell and Boston, 
by way of the canal on the Merri- 
mack, has been open since 1815, 
and a very large amount of busi- 
ness in freights has been done on 
the river. The Concord rail-road, 
to connect with the Lowell rail- 
road, has also been surveyed, and 
will doubtless soon be put in pro- 
gress. This is a link in the great 
chain of northern railways, which 
must ultimately extend from Boston 
to connect with the western waters 
at the outlet of lake Ontario. The 
importance of extending the rail- 
road to the heart of New Hamp- 
shire has by no means been fully 
estimated by the public. Concord 
is the great thoroughfare for trav- 
ellers from the north, and the freight 
by horses and baggage wagons is 
immense. 

The soil of this town is general- 
ly good, and the intervales very 
productive. Large masses of gran- 
ite suitable for the purposes of build- 
ing exist here, the most important of 
which is The J\"eio Hampshire 
Ledge, a name by which in an act of 
incorpoiation an immense mass of 
granite in the N.W. part of the town 
has been designated. This ledge is 
situated about 1 1-2 miles N. W. of 
the state house, and about 200 rods 
distant from Merrimack rivei-, which 
is navigable to this place with boats. 
The course of the ledge is from N. 
E. to S. W. and its rise about 45° 
from a plane of the hoiizon, and its 
height about 350 feet. It presents 
a surface of massive primitive 
granite, of more than 4,500 square 
rods. The rift of this stone is very 
perfect, smooth and legular; splits 
are easily made to the depth of 12 
to 20 feet, and of almost any re- 
quired length. And unlike much 
of the buildins: stone now in the 



NEW ENCLAND GAZETTEER. 



market, it has been ascertained by 
a recent examination (made by Mr. 
A. H. Hayes, of Roxbury, Mass., 
and other eminent chemists and 
geolos;ists,) that the stone Crom this 
quarry is perfectly free from those 
oxides, or other mineral substances, 
which on exposure to the atmos- 
phere, mar the beauty of much of 
the New England granite. This 
stone quarries easily ; the great ele- 
vation and dip of the ledge, and its 
proxin)ity to the river, giving it facil- 
ities of working and transportation, 
it is believed unequalled. From the 
base of the ledge to the bank of the 
Merrima(;k, a rail-way is contem- j 
plated, the proprietors of the ledge | 
having already obtained a charter [ 
for that purpose. As the great fa- | 
cility of transportation by way of j 
the river to the markets, becomes 
known, together with the fact, that 
tJie upward freight would, during a 
great portion of the year, go far 
towards remunerating the cost of 
transportation of this stone to the 
seaboard — the situation, extent, and 
value of this quarry will be seen 
and appreciated. On several large 
perpendicular faces of the ledge, 
protecte<l by shelving rocks from 
vegetable stains, but exposed for 
ages perhaps to the atmosphere, the 
stone is found to be entirely free 
from any coloring or stain, preserv- 
ing its natural color. The amount 
of the whole mass, when wrought, 
can scarcely be estimated. This 
representation is derived from gen- 
tlemen of Concord not at all in- 
terested in the quarry, and is here 
piven, with the sole qualilication, 
that if the quality of the stone is as 
pure as is stated, there is no danger 
of over-estimating the value of the 
quarry. A specimen of this granite 
i-f with the editor for examination. 
Concord, originally called Pena- 
cook, was granted by Massachu- 
setts to a compiuiy of settlers, 17th 
Jan., 172.5, and the settlement began 
the year following. In 1733, the 
plantation was incorporated bv the 
'J 



name of Ruinford, which name 
it retained until 7th June, 1765, 
when the town was incorporated 
by its present name. This town 
suffered much from incursions of 
the savages. Several of the inhab- 
itants were killed, and others taken 
into captivity, between the years 
1740 and 1750. The manufactures 
of Concord are numerous and \i\- 
uable. They consist of books, fur- 
niture of all kinds, boots, shoes, 
granite, lumber, and a variety ot 
other articles. The manufacture 
of books is ver\' extensive, and an- 
nually increasing. 

Population in 1775, 1,052 ; in 1790, 
1,747; in 1800, 2,052; in 1810, 
2,393; in 1820, 2,838 ; and in 1830, 
3,727. The present population is 
between 4 and 5 thousand. 

Among the early inhabitants and 
distinguished citizens of this town, 
may be mentioned the following : 

Hon. Timothy Walker, son 
of the first minister of Concord, an 
active patriot during the revolution, 
member of the convention of 1784, 
a legislator, and judge of the com- 
mon pleas. He died May 5, 1822, 
aged 85. 

Dr. Philip Carrigain, an 
eminent physician, who died in 
1806. 

Hon. Thomas W. Thompson, 
a distinguished lawyer and politi- 
cian, who died 1 Oct., 1821, aged 
57. 

Sir Benjamin Thompson 
(known to the world as Count 
Rumford) settled and married 
here in early life. 

John Farmer, Esq., an emin- 
ent antiquary and genealogist, re- 
sided here for the last seventeen 
years of his life, and died 13 Aug., 
1S38, aged 49. Mr. Farmer's health 
was always exceedingly delicate : 
he therefore, partly of necessity and 
partly of choice, adopted a very 
sedentary mode of life. He col- 
lected around him books of ancient 
date — gathered together early rec- 
ords of towns — notices of the first 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



settlers of tlie country — inquired 
into the names, ages, characters, 
and deaths of distinguished men of 
every profession — entered into ex- 
tensive correspondence with men 
v/ho might be able to furnish him 
with facts relative to the subjects of 
his inquii-y. In short, Mr. Farmer 
soon became known as an Anti- 
quarian, distinguished far beyond 
all his fellow citizens, for exact 
knowledge of facts and events rel- 
ative to the history of New Eng- 
land. His mind was a wonderful 
repository of names and dates and 
particular incidents, not stored up 
indeed for private gratilication, but 
always open for the benefit of oth- 
ers. So genei-al and well establish- 
ed was his reputation for accuracy, 
tb.at his authority was relied on, as 
decisive in historical and genealog- 
ical facts. 

Feelings of personal attachment 
and obligations for numerous inval- 
uable tokens of friendsliip, received 
by the editor, would seem torecjuire 
a full length portrait of the charac- 
ter of this distinguished man and 
estimable christian — even in a work 
of this kind; and it should be giv- 
en, had not an abler pen performeil 
tliat act of justice. See American 
Quarterly Register. 

Coiicortl, Vt. 

Essex CO. First settled, 17.SS. 
Population, IS^A), 1,031. On the 
W. side of Connecticut river: 38 
miles E. by N. from Montpelier, 
and 18 S. W". from Guildhall. Moose 
river, a branch of the Passumpsic, 
waters the north part of the town. 
Hall's and Mile ponds are beau- 
tiful sheets of wafer, and afford a 
variety of fish. The soil of the town 
is pretty good, and keeps about 3,000 
sheep. 

Concord, Mass. 

One of the chief tow ns of Mid- 



dlesex county. This town is situ- 
ated on the river of the same name, 
17 miles W. N. W. from Boston, 
11 S. S. W. from Lowell, and 30 E. 
N. E. from Worcester. Incorpo- 
rated, 1635. Population, 1820, 
1,788; 1837,2,023. This town was 
the first inland settlement in the 
colony of Massachusetts Bay. The 
township was originally six miles 
square, and derives its name from 
the harmony in which it was pur- 
chased of the natives. Its Indian 
title was Musketaquid. It took an 
active part in the prosecution of the 
war against king Philip, in 1675-6, 
and in April of the latter year, 10 
or 12 of its citizens Avere killed, in 
the attack made by the Indians on 
the neighboi'ing town of Sudbury. 
The general court has frequently 
held its sessions in this town, and 
in tlie year 1774 the provincial con- 
gress selected it as their place of 
meeting. On the 19th of April, 
1775, a detachment of British troops, 
sent out by Gen. Gage for the pur- 
pose of seizing a quantify of mili- 
tary stores which were deposited 
hei-e by the province, were met at 
the North bridge by the citizens of 
Concoi-d and the neighboring towns, 
and forcibly repulsed. It was at 
this spot that the first regular and 
effectual resistance was made, and 
the first British life was taken, in 
the war of the revolution. , The 
graves of two of the Biitish soldiers, 
who were killed at this place, are 
still marked, and a suitable monu- 
ment is erected near the site of the 
hi'idge, to commemorate the event. 
The monument is of granite, in the 
form of an obelisk; its height about 
25 feet ; the base, which is square, 
is a lai-ge block 5 1-2 feet broad, 
and about 3 in height. On the west 
side of the next block, is inlaid a 
slab of white Italian marble, on 
which is engraved the following in- 
scription : — 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTKER. 



Here, 

On the 19th of April, 

1773, 

Was made 

The first forcible resistance 

To British aggression. 

On the 0[)posite Bank, 

Stood the American Militia. 

Here stood tlie invading Army, 

And on this spot 

The first of the enemy fell 

In tlie War of that Revolution 

Which gave 

Independence 

To these United States. 

Ingratitude to God, 

And 

In the love of freedom. 

This Monnmcnt 

Was erected 

A.D.I 836. 

The manufactures of Concord 



consist of cotton goods, satinet and 
llaiinel, boots, slices, hats, ploughs, 
lead pi|)e, chairs and cabinet ware. 
The whole value, in one year, ex- 
clusive of cotton goods, amounted to 
$156,012. 

Concord River. 

This river is formed by the union 
of Assabet and Sudbury rivers at 
Concoi-d : after passing through tho 
towns of Bedfoi'd, Billcrica, aiul 
Chelmsford, it falls into the Mer- 
rimack between Lowell and Tewks- 
bury. This river furnishes the Mid- 
illcsex canal with most of its wa- 
ters. 

Conikaniciit Island. 

See Jamestown, R. I. 




CONXECTICUT. 



This state is bounded N. by Massachusetts, E. by Rhode Island, 
S. by Long Island Sound, and W. by New York. Situated between 
40° 58' and 12° 1' N. lat. and 72° 37' and 71° 43' W. Ion, 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 

The territory of Connecticut was formerly two coloniefs — Connecticut 
and JVew Haven. The colony of Connecticut was planted by citizens 
of Massachusetts, at Windsor, in 1633, and at Hartford and Wethersfield, 
in 1635 and 1636. Th« colony of New Haven was settled by English- 
men, in 1638. In 1665, the two colonies were united by a charter 
granted by Charles the Second. This charter was the basis of the gov- 
ernment till 1818, when the present constitution was formed. 

The executive power of this State is vested in a Governor, and a Lieu- 
tenant-Governor, who is also President of the Senate. 

The legislative power is vested in a Senate and a House of Represen- 
tatives, which together are called Hie General Asseinhly. The Senate 
consists of not less than 18 and not more than 24 members. Most of the 
towns may choose two Representatives ; the others one each. All the 
above are elected annually by the people on the first Monday of April. 
The General Assembly has one stated session in each year, commencing 
on the first Wednesday in May. These sessions are held alternately, in 
the years of even numbers at New Haven, and in the years of odd num- 
bers at Hartford. 

The electors are all the white male citizens, of twenty-one years of 
age, who have resided in the town in which they vote six months next 
preceding, and have a freehold estate of the value of seven dollars ; or 
who have performed regular military duty in said town for one year next 
previous to the voting ; or who shall have paid a tax within a year of his 
voting. Those entitled to be electors, before voting must be qualified by 
taking the oath prescribed by law. 

No person is obliged to join any religious society; but having joined 
one he is liable by law to pay his proportion of the charges for its sup- 
port. He may separate himself from such society by leaving with the. 
clerk thereof notice of his determination to close his connextion with 
them. 

The judicial department of the government embraces the Supreme 
Court of Errors, the Superior Court, a County Court in each county, a 
City Court in each city, a Court of Probate in each probate district, and 
as in other states in New England, an indefinite number of Justices of 
the Peace in each county. 

The Supreme Court of Errors consists of five Judges, who are ap- 
pointed by the General Assembly, and hold their offices during good 
behavior, but not after seventy years of age. They are subject to re- 
moval by impeachment, and by the Governor, on the address of two thirds 
of the members of each House of the General Assembly. This court 
has final and exclusive jurisdiction of writs of error, brought to revise 
the judgment on decrees of the Superior Court, in law or equity, whereiu 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 

the errors complained of appear from the files and records. It holds one 
term in each county annually. Though this body, as a court, has cog- 
nizance only of writs of error, yet, as all the members are Judges of the 
Superior Court, a convenient opportunity is afforded, while they arc 
thus assembled, for hearing arguments on motions for new trials and cases 
stated. These, of course, occupy a considerable portion of the term. 
The opinions of the Judges upon them are given by way of advice to 
the Superior Court, in which the cases are respectively pending. This 
advice is always followed, it b^ing understood as settling the law. 

A Judge of the Superior Court of Errors, designated by that court 
for the purpose, constitutes the Superior Court; two terms of which are 
held in each county annually. This court has cognizance of civil actions 
at law brought by appeal from the County, City, and Probate Courts, 
and of suits for relief in chancery, wherein the value of the matter in 
demand exceeds $335. In criminal causes it has exclusive jurisdiction 
of offerees punishable with death or imprisonment for life ; and, concur- 
rent with the County Courts, of all other offences not committed to the 
jurisdiction of the Justices of the Peace. It has also cognizance of 
writs of error brought to revise the decisions of inferior tribunals ; of 
petitions for divorce, and of wiits of scire facias, audita querela, and 
petitions for new trials relative to matters in or issuing from the court. 
In capital cases, the Judge holding the court is to call to his assistance 
one or more of the other Judges. 

The County Courts consist of one Chief Judge and two Associate 
Judges, who are appointed annually by tlie General Assembly. This 
court has original jurisdiction of all civil actions at law, wherein the 
value of the matter in demand exceeds $35, and appellate jurisdiction 
of all such actions wherein the value in demand exceeds ^'7. It has 
also original and final jurisdiction of suits for relief in equity, wherein 
the value in demand does not exceed $335, except suits for relief against 
a judgment rendered on a cause depending at law in the Superior 
Court. 

In criminal jurisdiction, it has cognizance of all offences above the 
jurisdiction of a Justice of the Peace, and not exclusively within that 
of the Superior Court. It is also vested with powers relative to the 
laying out of roads, granting licences, the appointment of survey- 
ors, &c. 

Justices of the Peace have cognizance of all actions at law of a civil 
nature, wherein the value in demand does not exceed $35, and of all 
offences and crimes punishable by fine not exceeding $7, or by impris- 
onment not exceeding thirty days, or both. 

In each of the six cities — Hartford, New Haven, New London, Nor- 
9* 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 

wich, Middletown, and Bridgeport— there is a City Court, consisting of 
the Mayor and two senior Aldermen, having cognizance of all civil 
actions wherein the title of land is not concerned. 

Succession of Governors since the Union of the Colonies under 
the Charter in 1665. 

John Winthrop, 1665—1676. William Leet, 1676—1683. Robert 
Treat, 1683—1698. Fitz-John Winthrop, 169S— 1707. Gurdon Sal- 
tonstall, 1708—1724. Joseph Talcott, 1725—1741. Jonatlian Law, 
1742—1751. Roger Wolcott, 1751—1754. Thomas Fitch, 1754—1766. 
William Pitkin, 1766—1769. Jonathan Trumbull, 1769—1784. Mat- 
thew Griswold, 1784—1786. Samuel Huntington, 1786-1795. Oliver 
Wolcott, 1796,1797. Jonathan Trumbull, 1798— 1809. John Treadwell, 
1809—1811. Roger Griswold, 1811, 1812. John Cotton Smith, 1813— 
1817. Oliver Wolcott, 1817-1827. Gideon Tomlinson, 1827—1831. 
John S. Peters, 1831—18.33. Henry W. Edwards, 1833, 1834. Samuel 
A. Foot, 1834—1836. Henry W. Edwards, 1836— 

Succession of Chief Justices. 

Richard Law, 1785—1789. Eliphalet Dyer, 1789—1793. Andrew 
Adams, 1793—1797. Jesse Root, 1798—1807. Stephen M. Mitchell, 
1807—1814. Tapping Reeve, 1814, 1815. Zephaniah Swift, 1815— 
1819. Stephen T. Hosmer, 1819—1833. David Daggett, 1833—1835. 
Thomas S. Williams, 1835— 

Connecticut is divided into the eight following counties — Hartford, 
New Haven, New London, Fairfield, Windham, Litchfield, Middlesex, 
and Tolland. The face of the state is greatly diversified by hills and 
valleys. In general it is so exceeding undulating or uneven, as to pre- 
sent an everchanging variety of objects. The ranges of mountains from 
the north, which terminate near New Haven, are not remarkable for their 
elevation in this state. Connecticut is finely watered by the noble river 
fj-om which it derives its name, by the Thames, Housatonick, Nauga- 
tuck, and other smaller streams. The soil varies from a gravelly loam 
on the hills, to a rich and exceedingly fertile alluvial in the valleys. The 
former is more particularly adapted to grazing, the latter to tillage. These 
lands, in possession of an industrious class of freemen, yield, in great 
abundance, all the varieties of products common to a northern climate. 
The mineral resources of the state are not yet fully developed ; but 
iron and copper ores of excellent qualities are found ; also, lead, cobalt, 
marble and freestone. The mineral waters at Stafford are the most 
celebrated. Manufacturing establishments are scattered over the state. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 

on its numerous delightful streams ; and foreign commerce, the coasting- 
trade, and fisheries, enjoy an enviable position on the waters of Long 
Island Sound. 

Blessed with a salubrious climate and fertile country, the people 
of Connecticut probably enjoy as much happiness as is allotted to 
any part of the human family. Her population is always full, and although 
her domain is not extensive, no Atlantic state has sent so many of her 
children, or so large a share of intellectual wealth, to the. western 
country, as Connecticut. 

If the love of liberty, literature and the arts, of social feeling and 
moral worth has an asylum on earth, Connecticut may boast that it is 
to be found within her bosom. See Register. 



Connecticut River. 

This beautiful river, the Quonek- 
tacut of the Indians, and the pride 
of the Yankees, has it sources in 
New Hampshire and the moun- 
tainous tracts in Lower Canada. Its 
name in the Indian language is said 
to signify Long River, or, as some 
render it, River of Pines. Its 
general course is north and south. 
After forming the boundary line 
between New Hampshire and Ver- 
mont, it crosses the western part of 
Massachusetts, passes the state of 
Connecticut, nearly in its centre ; 
and, after a fall of 1,600 feet, from 
its head, north of latitude 4-5°, it falls 
into Long Island Sound, in latitude 
41° 16'. The breadth of this river, 
at its entrance into Vermont, is 
about 1.50 feet, and in its course of 
60 miles it increases to about 390 
feet. In Massachusetts and Con- 
necticut, its bicadth may be esti- 
mated from 4.50 to 1,050 feet. It is 
navigable to Hartford, 45 miles, for 
vessels of considerable burthen, and 
to Middletown, 30 miles from the 
sea, for vessels drawing 12 feet of 
water. By means of canals and oth- 
er improvements, it has been made 
navigable for boats to Fifteen Mile 
Falls, nearly 250 miles above Hart- 
ford. The mast considerable rapids 
in this river, are Bellows' Falls, the 



falls of Queechy, just below the 
mouth of Waterqueecby river ; the 
White river falls, below Hanover, 
and the Fifteen Mile Falls, in N. H. 
and Vt.; — the falls at Montague and 
South Iladley, in Mass., and the 
falls at Enfield, in Ct., where it 
meets the tide water. The perpen- 
dicular height of the falls which 
have been overcome by dams and 
locks between Springfield, in Mass., 
and Hanover, in N. H., a distance 
of 130 miles, is 240 feet. Bars of 
sand and gravel extend across this 
river in various places, over which 
boats with difficulty pass in low 
water. The most important tribu- 
taries to the Connecticut, in New 
Hampshire, are Upper and Lower 
Amonoosuck, Israel's, John's, Mas- 
comy, Sugar, and Ashuclot rivers: 
in Vermont, Nulhegan,Passun)j)sic, 
Wells, Wait's, Ompomponoosuck, 
White, Waterqueecby, Black, Wil- 
liams, Sexton's, and West rivers : 
in Massachusetts, Miller's, Deer- 
field, Agawam, Chickopee, and 
Westfield rivers ; and the Farming- 
ton, in Connecticut. 

The intervales are generally 
spread upon one or both sides of the 
river, nearly on a level with its 
banks, and extending from half a 
mile to five miles in breadth ; but 
its borders are in some places high, 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



rocky and precipitous. In the 
spring it overflows its banks, and, 
through its winding course of nearly 
400 miles, forms and fertilizes a 
vast tract of rich meadow. In point 
of length, utility, and beauty, this 
river forms a distinguished feature 
of New England. 

Large quantities of shad are taken 
in this river, but the salmon, which 
formerly were very plenty, have 
entirely disappeared. Connecticut 
river passes through a hasin or val- 
ley of about 12,000 square miles ; 
it is decorated, on each side, with 
towns and villages of superior 
beauty, and presents to the eye a 
wonderful variety of enchanting 
scenery. 

Couuecticut Lake, 

The source of one of the princi- 
pal branches of Connecticut river, 
is situated in latitude 4.')° 2' ; and is 
5 1-2 miles in length, and 2 1-2 in 
width. It is supplied by several 
small streams, rising in the high- 
lands north of the lake. 

Coutoocook River, N. H., 

A stream of considerable length 
and importance, waters most of the 
towns in the W. part of the county 
of Hillsborough. It has its origin 
from several ponds in Jaffrey and 
Rindge, and in its course north re- 
ceives numerous streams from Dub- 
lin, Peterborough, Sharon, Nel- 
son, Stoddard, Washington, Antrim, 
Deering, and Hillsborough. In 
Hillsborough it takes a N. E. and 
easterly direction, and proceeds 
through Hennikcr to Hopkinton, 
where it receives Warner and Black- 
water rivers. From Hopkinton, 
it pursues a meandering course 
through Concord, and discharges 
itself into the Merrimack between 
Concord and Boscawen. Near the 
mouth of this river is Dtiston's 
Island, celebrated as the spot where 
Mrs. Duston destroyed several In- 
dians, in 1698. 



Con-way, N. H., 

Strafford co., on Saco river, is 72 
miles N. N. E. from Concord, 60 
N. by W. from Dover, and 37 N. W. 
from Portland, Me. Swift river, a 
considerable and very rapid stream, 
Pequawkett river, and a stream tak- 
ing its rise in Walker's pond, the 
two last affording mill privileges, 
discharge themselves into Saco riv- 
er in this town. Saco river here is 
from 10 to 12 rods wide, and about 
2 feet deep ; its current rapid and 
broken by falls. This river has 
been known to rise 27 and even 
.30 feet in the course of 24 hours. 
The largest collections of water in 
Conway are a part of Walker's 
pond, and Little Pequawkett pond, 
which lie in the south part of the 
town. There is a detached block 
of granite on the southern side of 
Pine hill, the largest perhaps in the 
state. A spring near the centre of 
the town, on the bank of Cold brook, 
strongly impregnated with sulphur, 
has been visited frequently by the 
intirm, and in many instances found 
beneficial. There are also in this 
town large quantities of magnesia 
and fuller's earth. The intervale 
along the river is from .50 to 220 
rods wide. The plain, when prop- 
erly cultivated, produces large 
crops of corn and rye. Conway is 
quite a resort for travellers from the 
east and south to the White Moun- 
tains. From Conway village to 
Crawford's house, at the Notch, is 
34 miles N. W. Daniel Foster, in 
1765, obtained a grant of this town- 
ship, containing 21,040 acres, on 
condition that each grantee should 
pay a rent of one ear of Indian corn 
annually for the space often years, 
if demanded. Pop. 1830, 1,601. 

Conway, Mass. 

Franklin co. This town is divid- 
ed from Shelburne, on the north, 
by Deerfield river. It lies 100 miles 
W. by N. from Boston, and 7 S. W. 
from Greenfield. , Incorporated, 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



1761 Population, 1837,1,415. A 
tributary of Dcerfield river passes 
its norlliern border. The manu- 
factures of Conway consist of cotton 
aud woolen goods, leather, boots, 
shoes, hats, chairs and cabinet 
ware. Total amount, year endino- 
April 1, 1837, $22,47o. The value 
of wool grown, the same year, was 
$5,072, comprising 4,830 fleeces, 
weighing 14,490 pounds. 

Cooper, Me. 

Washington co. Denny's river, 
emptying into Meddybemps lake, 
and both discharging into the river 
St. Croix at Baring, water the nortii 
part of this town. It lies 164 miles 
E. N. E. from Augusta, and about 
36 miles N. from Machias. Popu- 
lation, 1837, 571. 

Coos Coiuity, IV. H. 

Coos is the largest county in New 
Hampshire, and within its limits 
are situated the contested Indian 
Stream territory and the greater 
part of the uugranted lands. Large 
portions of this county are exceed- 
ingly mountainous, cannot be culti- 
vated, and will probably never be 
settled. This county extends from 
lat. 43° 58' to the extreme north 
part of the state — being 76 miles in 
length, and having a mean width 
of about 20 miles. The area of 
this county is estimated to contain 
1600 square miles, or, in round 
numbers, 1,000,000 of acres. It is 
bounded N. by Lower Canada, E. 
by Maine, S. by the county of 
Stratibrd, W. by Grafton county 
and the state of Vermont. Besides 
the stupendous pile of the White 
Mountains, which distinguishes this 
county, there are several other 
mountains of no inconsiderable 
height. Those in Shelburne, Jack- 
eon and Chatham, on the east side 
of the White Mountains, are bold 
and abrupt. The Peak and Bow- 
back mountains in Stratford ; the 
elevations in Dixville, Columbia 



and Kilkenny; Pilot and Mill moun- 
tains in Stark ; Cape Horn in North- 
umberland, and Ponilicherry, S. W. 
of Jellorson, arc all of considerable 
magnitude, and partake of the gran- 
deur of the Vshite Hills. In the 
neighborhood of high mountains are 
generally found the sources of our 
greater rivers. Three of the prin- 
cipal rivers of New England, the 
Connecticiit, Androscoggin and Sa- 
co, take their rise in this county. 
There are numerous other streams 
which become tributary to these 
rivers, the principal of which are 
the Mohawk, Amonoosuck, Israel's 
and John's rivers. The Margalla- 
way, after receiving the waters of 
Dead and Diamond rivers, unites 
with the Androscoggin, near Um- 
bagog lake. This lake lies princi- 
pally in Maine. Lake Connecti- 
cut is situated north of the 45th de- 
gree of latitude, and is one of the 
sources of Connecticut river. The 
largest pond in this county lies N. 
of lake Connecticut, and is connect- 
ed with it by an outlet. 

The lirst settlement in the coun- 
ty was made at Lancaster in 1763. 
The county was incorporated Dec. 
24, 1803, and the name is of Indian 
origin, although the same name oc- 
curs in the New Testament. The 
population in 1820 was 5,549 ; and 
in 1830, 8,390. Coos contains 2.3 
towns, and live inhabitants to a 
square mile. Lancaster, Shiretown. 

Coriiina, Me. 

Somerset co. Situated 53 miles 
W. N. W. from Augusta, and about 
35 N. W. from Norridgewock. In- 
corporated, 1S16. Population, 1837, 
1,513. In 1S37, 8,864 bushels of 
wheat were raised in this valuable 
township. 

Corinth, Me. 

Penobscot co. This delightful 
township lies 81 miles N. W. by W. 
from Augusta, and about 25 S. W. 
from Bangor. It is watered by 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



Kenduskeag stream, and profluced, 
ill 1837, 9,017 bushels of wheat. 
Papulation, same year, 1,232. 

Corinth, Vt. 

Orange co. Two branches of 
Wait's river water this town. It is 
20 miles S. E. from Montpelier, and 
10 N. E. from Chelsea. First set- 
tied, 1777. Population, 1S30, 1,953. 
Corinth is pleasant, with a rouoh, 
strong soil, and very healthy; it 
has some water power and keeps 
about 7,000 sheep. 

Coi-nisli, Mc. 

York CO. Bounded N. by the Saco 
and Great Ossipee rivers. 83 miles 
S. W. from Augusta, 32 W. by N. 
from Portland, and 25 N. from Al- 
fred. Incorporated, 1794. Popula- 
tion, 1337, 1,180. Cornish produces 
good crops of wheat and soaie wool. 

Cornislij Tf. H,, 

Sullivan co., is 17 miles N. 
from Charlestown, 50 N. W. by W. 
from Concord, and 12 N. W. fi-om 
Newport. Connecticut river waters 
the west part of this town, and by 
means of a bridge connects Cornish 
with Windsor, Vt. The soil is gen- 
erally fertile. The town is hilly, 
with the exception of that part 
which lies oa the river. Blow-me- 
down and Bryant's brooks are the 
only streams of any magnitude — 
these afford good mill privileges, 
which are improved for a woolen 
factory, a large number of saw, and 
other mills. The agricultural pro- 
ducts of this town are very consid- 
erable. Cornish was granted June 
21, 1763, to Rev. Samuel McClin- 
tock, of Greenland, and G9 others. 
The town was settled in 1765. — 
Population, 1830, 1,687. 

Coriiville, Me. 

Somerset co. This town is well 
watered by the Wessaransett river, 
a blanch of the Kennebec. There 
is much choice land in Cornville. A 
few of the inhabitants, in 1837, by 



way of experiment, raised 7000 
bushels of wheat. Incorporated, 
1798. Population, 1837, 2,112. 
Bounded S. by Skowhegan: 38 miles 
N. from Augusta, and about 13 N. 
E. from Norridgewock. 

Corinvall, Vt. 

Addison CO. This is a level town- 
ship of excellent land, watered by 
Otter ci-eek and Lemonfair river, but 
without any good mill sites. Not- 
withstanding there is a very large 
swamp in this town, the people are 
healthy, and many live to a very 
great age. Very beautiful calca- 
reous si)ar, in idiomboidal crystals, is 
found here. The population of 
Cornwall, in 1830, was 1,264. The 
number of sheep, in 1837, was about 
16,000. It lies 60 miles S. W. from 
i\Iontpelier, and bounded N. E. by 
Middlebury. First settled, 1774. 

Coi-uv.-all, Ct. 

Litchfield co. This mountainous 
township lies on the east side of 
Housatonick river, 38 miles W. 
from Hartford, 48 N. from New Ha- 
ven, and 13 N. by W. from Litch- 
field. First settled, 1740. Popu- 
lation, 1830, 1,714. The scenery 
about the south village is very beau- 
tiful. "The cheerful appearance 
of the church and the little cluster 
of white buildings surrounding it, 
at the bottom of a deep valley, is 
uncommonly pleasing. The moun- 
tains and lofty hills which rise im- 
mediately on almost every side, 
shutting out, in a sense, the most of 
the woi-id fi'om this apparently re- 
tired spot, present a bold and most 
striking feature in the landscape." 
This village is the place where a 
Foreion Mission School was estab- 
lished'^in 1818. " This school had 
its rise from the attempt to qualify 
Obookiah, a pious Owyheean youth, 
and othei's, for missionaries to their 
native lands. Obookiah was brought 
to this country in 1808, and came to 
New Haven. While here, Samuel 
J. Mills, a student in Yale Col- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



lege, and other pious persons, com- 
miserating his condition, instructed 
him in tlie Christian roiii!;ion. — 
Ohookiiih soon hec;ime hopefully 
pious, and strongly advocated a mis- 
sion to his countrj'inen. Other na- 
tives of his island were found, and 
a school was established for their 
benefit at Cornwall. In 1S20, the 
number of jiupilsin this school was 
29, of whom 19 were American In- 
dians, and 6 from the islands of the 
Pacilic ocean. Obookiah sickened 
and died in Cornwall in 1S18. The 
following is the inscription on his 
monument in the village grave 
yard. 

••In memory of Henry Obookiah, 
a native of Owyhee. His arrival in 
this country gave rise to the For- 
eign Mission School, of which he 
was a worthy member. He was 
once an Idolater, and was designed 
for a Pagan Priest ; but by the grace 
of God, and by the prayers and in- 
structions of pious friends, he became 
a Christian. He was eminent for 
piety and missionary zeal. When 
almost prepared to i-cturn to his na- 
tive isle to preach the gospel, God 
took him to himself. In his last 
.sickness he wept and prayed for 
Owyhee, but was submissive. He 
died without fear, with a heavenly 
smile on his countenance and clorv 
in his soul, Feb. 17th, 1818, aged 
26." 

Coventry, 'S. II., 

Grafton co., is 70 miles N. N. 
W. from Concord, and 12 E. S. E. 
from Haverhill. This town is wa- 
tered by branches of OH verian brook 
and Wild Amonoosuck rivers. In 
the .S. E. part of Coventry is Moose- 
hillock mountain. Owl-liead moun- 
tain lies in the W. part of this town. 
Coventry presents a rough and 
mountainous aspect, and the soil in 
several parts is not capable of cul- 
tivation. This town was granted 
Jan. 31, 1764, to Theopbilus Fitch 
and others, and was settled after the 



commencement of the revolutionary 
war. Population, 1S30, -141. 

Coventry, Vt. 

Orleans co. This is a good town- 
ship of land, and is watered by Bar- 
ton's and Black rivers, two good 
mill streams, running north into 
Memphremagog lake. First set- 
tled, 1800. Population, 1830, 728. 
The south part of the lake lies in 
Coventry, and gives it some trade 
to Canada. Here are about 2,500 
sheep. Coventry lies 47 miles N. 
hy E. fi^om Montpelier, and has Iras- 
burgh on the south. 

Coventry, R. I. 

Kent CO. This is a very large 
township, extending to the north 
line of Connecticut, and admirably 
watered by numerous ponds and by 
Flat river, an imj)ortant branch of 
the Pawtucket. Coventry has long 
been noted for the number and va- 
riety of its manufactures, particu- 
larly of cotton and wool. The soil 
of the town is well adapted to agri- 
cultural pursuits : it is well improv- 
ed, and a large amount of the pro- 
ducts of the dairy, &c., is annually 
produced. There are a n-umber of 
pleasant villages in Coventry, all 
of which are flourishing, both in 
manufacturing and trade. This 
town was distinguished for its pat- 
liotism during the revolutionary 
contest. Coventry was incorpora- 
ted in 17 12. It lies 10 miles S. W. 
from Providence, and S N. W. from 
East Greenwich. Population, 1830, 
3,851. 

Coventry, Ct. 

Tolland co. The Wangombog, a 
beautiful pond, and the Skungamug, 
Hop and Willimantic rivers, give 
Coventry a good water power. In 
the south part of the town are two 
cotton and two woolen manufacto- 
ries, a machine shop and othei- im- 
portant mechanical opt-rations by 
water. This town was the gift of a 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



Mohegan Sachem, and was first set- 
tled in 1700. The surface is un- 
even, and the soil a gravelly loam. 
Coventry lies 18 miles E. from 
Hartford, and bounded N. by Tol- 
land. Population, 1830,2,119. This 
town is celebrated as the birth place 
of Capt. Nathan Hale, who vol- 
unteered his services to Washington 
to discover the position of the ene- 
my on Long Island. He fell a mar- 
tyr to American liberty, Sept. 22, 
1776, aged 22. 

Lorenzo Dow, an itinerant 
preacher, celebrated for his eccen- 
tricity was born in Coventry, Octo- 
ber, 16, 1777. It is said that during 
the 38 years of his ministry he travel- 
led in this and foreign countries two 
hundred thousand miles. He died at 
Georgetown, D. C, Feb. 2, 1S34. 

Ci-aftsbiiry, Vt. 

Orleans co. Col. Ebenezer Crafts 
was the father of this little repub- 
lic. He died, much honored, in 
1810, aged 70. Craftsbury was 
settled in 1789. It lies 25 miles S. 
of the Canada line, 25 miles N. from 
Montpelier, and about 15 S. S. W. 
from Irasburgh. Population, 1830, 
982. This town is finely watered 
by Black river. Wild Branch, and 
5 large natural ponds well stored 
with trout. The village in the cen- 
tre of the town is elevated, com- 
manding a delightful prospect. 

Cranberry Islands. 

Hancock co. These islands were 
attached to the town of Mount 
Desert until 1830, when they were 
incorporated. They lie a few miles 
E. by S. from Mount Desert, and 
embrace Great and Little Cranber- 
ry, Sutton's and Baker's islands. 
These islands afford good harbors, 
and are well located for the shore 
fishery. Population, 1837, 183. 

Cranston, R. I. 

Providence co. The soil of this 
town is nwre favorable for the pro- ; 



duction of fruits and vegetables 
than for grain. Some parts of the 
town are very fertile, but considera- 
ble of the land is rough and uneven. 
Providence market is supplied with 
a considerable amount of the pro- 
ducts of th« town. The manufac- 
ture of cotton is very extensively 
pursued. The water power of the 
Pawtuxet and Powchasset are con- 
stant and abundant. Cranston is a 
very pleasant town, and its proxim- 
ity to Providence, (only five miles 
south west) gives it peculiar privi- 
leges. Population, 1830, 2,653. 

Cra'wford, Me. 

W^ashington co. Incorporated, 
1828. This is a good township of 
land, and was formerly called Ad- 
ams. A large pond in Crawford 
and a part of another are the sour- 
ces of a branch of East Machias 
river. Population, 1837, 311. Lo- 
cated about 30 miles N. from Ma- 
chias and 140 E. N. E. from Au- 
gusta. 

CrooUed River, Me., 

Rises in ponds in Oxford county; 
passes through Harrison, Otisfield, 
and Raymond, and joins the outlet 
of Long pond into Sebago lake. 

Ci-oss Island, Me. 

A large island, off Machias bay, 
attached to the town of Cutler. 

Croydon, N. H., 

Sullivan co., is 44 miles N. N. 
W. from Concord, and 8 N. from 
Newport. Tlie N. branch of Su- 
gar river waters this town. On this 
stream is a woolen factoi-y and other 
mills. Croydon mountain is of con- 
siderable elevation, on which are 
two small ponds. The soil of Croy- 
don is moist and rocky, and produ- 
ces valuable crops. Croydon was 
granted by charter to Samuel Chase, 
and others, May 31, 1763. It was 
settled in 1766." Population, 1830, 
1,057. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



Cumberland County, Me. 

Portland, chief town. Bounded 
N. by Oxford countj', E. by Lin- 
coln county, S. by the Atlantic 
ocean, .\nd W. by York county and 
a part of Oxford. Aroa about 990 
square miles. Population, 1820, 
49,443; 18.J0, ()0,113 ; 1837,67,611). 
This is an excellent county of land, 
and under good cultivation. The 
commerce and manufactures of 
Portland and neigh!)oiing towns 
is %'ery extensive. Casco bay is 
within tlie county, and affords it 
unrivalled privileges for navigation 
and the tisheries. It is watered by 
several large mill streams ; and the 
Cumberland and Oxford canal to 
Sebago lake, within the county, 
gives to its chief town considerable 
inland trade. In 1S37 there were 
37,803 bushels of wheat raided in 
the county, and it contained 71,000 
uheep. 

Cnniliei-land, Me. 

Cumberland CO. Setoff from th« 
westerly part of North Yarmouth 
in 1821. Population, 1837, 1,52.>. 
54 miles S. W. from Augusta, and 
10 N. from Portland. Cumberland 
is pleasantly situated on Casco bay, 
and enjoys many navigable facili- 
ties. 

Cumberland, R. I. 

Providence co. The manufac- 
ture of cotton and boat building is 
e.\tensively pursued in this town. 
Pawtucket, Mill and Peter's rivers, 
and Abbot's run, afford the town 
a good hydraulic power. There is 
Rome good laud in Cumberland, 
pro<lucing a variety of articles for 
Providence market ; from which it 
is distant 8 miles N. Population, 
1830, 3,675. See Umithjicld. 

Cnmminston, Mas.s. 

Hampshire CO. Located 110 miles 
W. from Boston, and 20 W. N. W. 
from Northampton. Incorporated, 
1779. Population, 1837, 1,204. In 
Uus town are good mill seats on 

10 



Westfield river. It is a mountain- 
ous township but excellent for graz- 
ing. It produced, in 1837, 12,486 
pounds of merino wool, the weight 
of 4,1()2 fleeces, valued at ,««;7,492. 
The manufactures of Curnmington 
consist of cotton and woolen goods, 
leather, pahn-leaf hats, and scythe 
snaiths. Total value, in one year, 
$98,000. Iron ore and soapstone. 

CusUiug, Me. 

Lincoln co. Situated on Saint 
George's river, opposite to the town 
of St. George ; 45 miles N. E. from 
Augusta, and about 12 miles S. from 
Warren. This place was settled by 
emigrants from Ireland, as early as 
1733. Here was the celebrated 
stone fort, erected by Maj. Burton. 
Incorporated, 17S9. Population, 
1S37, 732. 

Cutler, Me. 

Washington co. Bounded S. by 
the Atlantic Ocean, and about 20 
miles S. W. from W. Quoddy Head. 
It contains Little Machias bay and 
Little river, and is bounded Vv. by 
Alachias bay. Cutler has a good 
harbor, and a population of 667. 
164 miles E. by N. from Augusta, 
and 10 S. E. from Rlachias. 

Daltou, N. H., 

Coos CO., lies between Lancas- 
ter and Littleton, on Connecticut 
river, and is 110 miles N. by W. 
from Concord. The Great, or Fif- 
teen Mile Falls, on Connecticut 
river, commence in Dalton, and 
rush tumultuously along its north- 
west boundary. The town is also 
watered by John's river and sever- 
al large brooks. The western and 
southern parts of this town are hilly. 
Along the borders of John's river 
the majestic white pine abounds. 
The soil on the highlands is deep, 
and well adapted to grazing — is 
generally good, and in some parts 
easy of cultivation. Blake's pond, 
the only one in town, lies at the S. 
E. corner. Moses Blake and Wal- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



ter Bloss were the first settlers of ' 
Dalton, and, with their families, for 
a long time the only inhabitants. 
Dalton was incorporated Nov. 4, 
17S4. Population, ISoO, 532. 

Blake was a famous hunter, and 
the moose which frequented the 
pond called by his name often fell 
by the accuracy of liis shots. Blake 
and Capt. Bucknani, (one of the 
first settlers of Lancaster,) on a 
hunting excursion, fired at a mark, 
on a small bet. Bucknam fired fii-st, 
and cut, at the distance of twenty 
rods, near the centre of a mark 
not larger than a dollar. Blake 
then fired, and on going to the tree 
on which the mark was made, no 
trace of the ball could be discover- 
ed. Bucknam exulted : " Cut out 
your ball," said Blake, " and you'll 
find mine o'top on't." The opera- 
tion being performed, the two balls 
were found, the one safely lodged 
upon the other. 

Daltou, Mass. 

Berkshire co. Dalton lies 120 
miles W. from Boston, and 13 N. 
bv E. from Lenox. Incorporated, 
1784. Population, 1S37, S30. It 
is watered by the E. branch of Hou- 
satonick river. Its manufactures 
consist of woolen cloth, iron cast- 
ings, paper, ($37,500,) leather, 
boots and shoes. Total amount in 
ojie year, .$47,815. In 1837, the 
product of 4.23S sheep was 11,852 
pounds of wool, valued at ^5,725. 

Dainariscotta Hiver, Me. 

This river has its source in ponds 
in Jefferson and Nobleborough ; its 
general course is southerly between 
Newcastle, Edgecomb and Booth- 
bay, on the west, am! Bristol on the 
east. It is navigable for vessels of 
any burthen 16 miles, to the bridge 
which crosses it between New- 
castle and Nobleborough. Large 
quanlities of lumber descend, and 
many merchant ships are built on 
this bi'oad and navigable arm of the 
sea. 



!>ana, Mass. 

Worcester CO. Dana lies 65 miles 
W. from Boston, and 27 W. N. W. 
from A^'orcester. A branch of Swift 
river passes through the town. — 
Some leather is tanned in Dana ; 
and 70,000 palm-leaf hats were 
made in 1S3G, valued at $10,500. 
Incorporated, 1781. Population, 
1837, 660. 

Daiiljiiry, IV. H., 

Is in the S. part of Grafton county, 
and lies in the form of a diamond. 
It is 16 miles S. by W. from Ply- 
mouth, and 30 N. W. from Concord. 
This town is generally hilly, al- 
though there are some intervales. 
In the N. E. part is a large hill. 
The eastern section is watered by 
Smith's river. The first settle- 
ment was made in Nov. 1771, and 
incorporated June 18, 1795. Pop- 
ulation, 1S30, 786. 

DanlJiiry, Ct. 

One of the shire towns of Fair- 
field county. Danbury, the Pnh- 
qitioquc of the Indians, was first 
settled in 1684. The soil of the 
town is good, and agreeably diver- 
sified by hills and valleys. The 
borough or village is very pleasant- 
ly situated in a valley, and is me- 
morable for its sacrifices in the 
revolutionary war. It was nearly 
destroyed by the British, w^ilh a 
large amount of continental stores, 
April, 1777. It lies 22 miles N. 
from Norwalk, 36 S. S. W. from 
Litchfield, and 55 S. V,'. by W. 
from Hartford. 

Robert Saxdemax, the foun- 
der of a religious sect,died at Danbu- 
ry in 1771, aged 53. See Bethel, Ct. 

Daiiliy, Vt. 

Rutland co. Situated near the 
head waters of Otter creek, 17 miles 
S. from Rutland, and 68 S. S. W. 
from Montpelier. First settled, 
1768. Population, 1830, 1,362.— 
The surface of the town is rough 



XEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



and mounlainous, but productive 
of extraordiriai-y feed for cattle. 
Some of the best dairies in the 
country are in Dauby. Large quan- 
tities of butter and cheese, of supe- 
rior quality, arc annually sent to 
market. There are some curious 
caverns in this town, — one of great 
depth. 

Dauvcrs, 2»Iass. 

Essex CO. This flourishing town 
lies 2 miles N. \V. from Salem, to 
which it was attached until 1757, 
and called " Salem Village." It is 
very pleasant, and has some mill and 
navigable privileges. The manu- 
factures, for the year ending April 
1, 1S37, amounted to $S54,300. 
The articles manufactured were 
boots and shoes (.-5435,900,) leather, 
($264,400,) nails, bricks, pottery 
ware, glue, lasts, morocco, choco- 
late, shoe pegs, shoe and soap ho^es, 
soap and candles. Population, IbOO, 
4,228 ; 1837, 4,S04. 

Danville, Me. 

Cumberland co. This town, for- 
merly called Pejcpsco, was set off 
from the westei-ly part of North 
Yarmoutli, in 1^02. Population, 
1837, 1,282. It lies 32 miles S. W. 
from Augusta, and 29 N. from Port- 
land. Farming is the principal 
business of the inhabitants ; — they 
raised, in 1837, 1,218 bushels of 
wheat. 

DauvUle, IV. II. 

Kockinsham co. It was incorpo- 
rated February 22, 1760 ; formerly 
a part of Kingston, and until re- 
cently known by the name of 
Hawke. The soil is uneven, but in 
some parts good. Acchusnut river 
passes over the north west corner. 
Long pond lies in the cast part, and 
Cub pond on tlie west side. The 
first settlements were made by Jon- 
athan Sanborn, Jacob Hook, and 
others, between 1735 and 1739. 
Danville lies 33 miles S. E. of Con- 



cord, and 10 S. W. of Exeter. Pop- 
ulation, 1830, 528. 

Danville, Vt. 

Chief town of Caledonia county. 
Danville village is very pleasantly 
situated near the centre of the town, 
and is surrounded by a beautiful 
farming country : first settled, 1784. 
Charles Hacket brought the first 
woman into town, in 1785. Popu- 
lation, 1830, 2,(>31. It lies 25 miles 
N. E. from RIontpelier. Here is a 
medicinal spring ; and Jo's pond, 
covering 1,000 acres, lies mostly 
in the town. Several tributaries of 
the Passumpsic give the town a good 
water power. This is a place of 
considerable manufactures and do- 
mestic trade. 

Darien, Ct> 

Fairlield co. Until 1820, Darien 
was a parish in the town of Stam- 
ford. The soil is excellent, and well 
adapted to tillage and grazing. It 
lies 5 miles W. from Norwalk, and 
42 S. W. from New Haven. Pop- 
ulation, 1830, 1,201. 

During divine service, on Sun- 
day, 22d of July, 1781, a party of 
British troops surrounded the meet- 
ing house at this place, and made 
the whole congregation prisoners. 
The males were tied, two and two, 
and the Kev. Moses Mather, D. D., 
a man distinguished for his learning 
and piety, placed at their head. 
They were marched to the shore, 
taken to Long Island, and after- 
wards to New York, where they 
suffered a cruel imprisonment. — 
Some of Ihem never returned. 

irartmoutli, Mass. 

Biistol CO. The .Iponigansct oi 
the Indians. A sea-port on Buz- 
zard's bay, on the W. side of Ac- 
cushnet river, 5t! miles S. from Bos- 
ton, and 3 W. from New Bedford. 
Incorporated, ICGl. Population, 
1837, 3,958. There are 5 vessels 
belonging to this place engaged in 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



the whaling business, and a num- 
ber in coasting, and other fisheries. 
The product of the whale, cod and 
mackerel fisheries the year end- 
ino; April 1, 1837, amounted to 
^93,10S. The value of wool orown 
was $2,110. The value of salt 
manufactured, of vessels built, of 
leather tanned, and of boots and 
shoes made, was $27,910. 

Dead. Rivers. 

Dead river, in Maine, is an im- 
portant tributary to the Kennebec. 
It rises on the border of Lower 
Canada, in the county of Franklin. 
It passes in a S. E. direction 40 or 
50 miles; then N. about 10 ; it then 
changes to the E., and aftei' passing 
about 15 miles it falls into the Ken- 
nebec, about 20 miles below Moose 
Head lake. The lands on Dead 
river and its numerous tiibutaries 
are very fertile and heavily wooded. 

Dead Stream, in Maine, is a con- 
siderable tributary to the Penob- 
scot, from the west. It empties at 
Orono, opposite to the Indian vil- 
lage. 

Dead river, in New Hampshire, 
fises in the N. AV. corner of the 
state, in Coos county, and after re- 
ceiving several tributaries it falls 
into the Margallaway. 

Deanfield, Me. 

Located at the N. W. corner 
of Hancock county between Pas- 
sad omkeag river and 01 amnion 
stream. See Barnard, Me. 

Rearljorii, Mc. 

Kennebec co. Tho soil of this 
town is excellent, particularly 
3,round Great pond, which covers 
fi. large portion of the surface, and 
has a number of islands of great 
beauty. This pond is connected 
with other large sheets of water 
in Belgrade, Mount Vernon, and 
Rome, which render this part of 
the county highly picturesque. 
Dearborn was incorporated in 1812. 



Population, 1S37, 799. 15 miles 
N. from Augusta. 

Dctiliam, Me. 

Hancock co. Incorporated, 1837. 
It is bounded on the W. by Ells- 
woi-th. Union river passes through 
its N. W. corner. In 1837 it had 
a population of 427, and produced 
1,550 bushels of wheat. 

Dcdliam, Mass. 

Norfolk CO. County town. This 
town is on Charles liver, with a good 
watei- power. It is 10 miles S. W. 
from Bo-:lon, 35 E. from Worcester, 
35 N. Vv'. from Plymouth, 20 N. by 
W. from Taunton, and 30 N. E. 
from Providence. It has a beauti- 
ful court house of hewn granite. 
Its Indian name was Tiot. A rail- 
road from the centre of the town 
meets the Boston and Providence 
rail-road, about two miles at the 
eastward. The manufactures of 
Dedham the year ending April 1, 
1837, amounted to ^510,755. They 
consisted of cotton and woolen goods, 
leather, boots, shoes, paper, mar- 
bled papar, iron castings, chairs, 
cabinet wares, straw bonnets, palm- 
leaf hats, and silk goods. The val- 
ue of silk goods manufactured was 
j4^10,000. Dedham village is very 
pleasant, and possesses every in- 
ducement to render it a desirable 
residence for the mechanic or man 
of leisure. Population, 1837,3,532. 

Deerfield, K. H., 

Rockingham co., is IS miles E. 
S. E. from Concord, and 30 W. by 
N. from Portsmouth. This town 
has a number of very pleasant ponds 
which atlbrd fish of various kinds. 
Moultou's pond is situated at the 
W. part of the town. This pond, 
although small, is noted on account 
of its having no visible inlet, and 
therefore is supposed to be supplied 
by a subterraneous passage, as the 
water is always of nearly an equal 
depth. The outlets of the pond run 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



in opposite directions. This pond 
is also remarkable on account of 
having been often sounded with- 
out discovering any bottom. A 
branch of Lamprey river passes S. 
and S. E. tlirougli Deerficld. The 
surface of tliis town is uneven, the 
soil durable and fertile, altliough 
hard to cultivate. The Tuckaway, 
between Deertield and Notting- 
liam.lhe Saddleback, between Deer- 
field and Nortlnvood, and Fort 
mountain on the W., are the piin- 
cipal elevations. In the W. part 
of this town, on the southerly side 
of a ridge of rocks which extend 
3-4 of a mile, is a natural formation 
in the rock, for sixty years desig- 
nated as the " Indian Camp." Its 
sides are irregular, and the top is 
covered by a canopy of granite 
projecting about 14 feet, attbrding 
a shelter from the snn and rain. 
On the E. side of this camp is a 
natural flight of steps, or stones 
resembling steps, by which per- 
sons may easily ascend to the top 
of the rock. Deertield was once 
a place of favorite resort for deer, 
great numbers of wliich were tak- 
en. While the petition lor the 
town was pending, a Mr. Batchcl- 
dcr killed a deer, and presenting it 
to Gov. Wentworth, obtained the 
act under the name of Devr-ficld. 
The town was settled in 1756 and 
1758, by John Robertson, Benja- 
min Hatclielder and others. Dur- 
ing the Indian wars the inhabitants 
lived in gari'isons, but no sei-ious 
mischiefs were experienced. Pop- 
ulation, 1830, 2,0!5(). 

Dccrfleld, Mass. 

Franklin co. At the junction of 
Connecticut and Deertield rivers, 
on the west side of the former, and 
on both sides of the latter. The 
Pocumtuck of the Indians. It is 
95 miles W. by N. from Boston, 4 
S. from Greenfield, and 17 N. from 
Northampton. First settled, 16(j8. 
Incorpoiated, 16S2. Population, in 
1837, 1,952. A very pleasant town, 

10* 



and a place of considerable com- 
merce. The manufactures of this 
place, for one year, amounted to 
$117,190. They consisted of leath- 
er, boots, shoes, cutlery, ($100,000) 
chairs, cabinet ware, palm-leaf hats, 
lead pipe, hair cloth and beds, wag- 
ons and carriages, pocket books, 
wallets, and corn-brooms. The val- 
ue of wool grown, the same year, 
(1S3()) was $2,708. From the 
mountains in this vicinity, delight- 
ful views are obtained. Deerfield 
Mountain is 700 feet above the 
plain. Sugar Loaf JiTountain rears 
its conical peak of red sandstone 500 
feet above the river, and overlooks 
the ground of many sanguinary 
battles between the whites and In- 
dians. This is a place of great in- 
terest. While the traveller lingers 
here, enjoying the beautiful scene- 
ry, and hospitality of the people of 
this cjuiet town, he cannot fail of 
contrasting the present scenes with 
those of former years ; particularly 
with that at Bloody Brook, in 1675, 
when a company of 90 young men 
from the county of Essex were slain 
by ruthless savages. A monument, 
commemorating this event, was 
erected in 1838. 

Deerfield River. 

This beautiful and important In- 
dian stream joins the Connecti- 
cut between Greenfield and Deer- 
tield. It rises in the high grounds 
of Windham county, near Strata 
ton, Dover and Somerset, Ver- 
mont ; and proceeding in a S. E. 
course, it passes through Monroe, 
Florida, Rowe, Charlemont, Haw- 
ley, Buckland, Shelburne and Con- 
way. The most important tributa- 
ries to this stream are Void liver ; 
a river from Heath and Coleraine; 
one from Leyden, via Greenfield, 
and a river from Conway. Its whole 
length is about 50 miles. In some 
places Deerfield river is rapid, and 
its banks very precipitous. Its pas- 
sage through the mountains is very 
curious and romantic. 



NEW ENCLAfCD GAZETTEER, 



Deering, K. II., 

Hillsborough co., 23 inilcsS. W. 
fi-om Concord, and 22 N. W. from 
Amherst. It is diversified with 
hills and valleys; is well watered, 
and its soil is favorable to the seve- 
ral purposes of agriculture. There 
are three ponds, Duilley, Pecker's, 
and Fulton's. The two former are 
sources of the N. branch of Pi-cat- 
aquog river. There are some man- 
ufactures in this town, and bricks 
are made in a consideraiile quanti- 
ty. Deering was incorporated Jan. 
17, 1774. The name was given by 
Gov. .John Wentvvortb, in honor of 
his wife, whose maiden name was 
Bering. The first permanent set- 
tlement was made in 176i>,byAlcx- 
ander Robinson. Population, 1830, 
1,227. 

Beer Isle, Me. 

Hancock co. This town is con- 
stituted of three principal Islands — 
Deer Island,, Little Deer Island, 
and the Isle of Haut. They com- 
prise about 17,000 acres, and were 
inhabited before the revolutionary 
war. Incorporated, 1789. Popu- 
lation, 18.37, 2,473. The principal 
island lies about 2 miles S. Vv\ from 
Sedgewick harbor, and 95 miles E. 
by S. from Augusta. These islands 
have good harbors, and are well lo- 
cated for the shore fishery. Al- 
though they are situated near the 
sea they produce good crops and 
wheat. 

Deer Islands, N. H. 

In Connecticut river, between 
Lyman and Barnet, Vt., are live 



in number. 
S8 acres. 



The largest contains 



Dejimark, Ble. 

Oxford CO. Incorporated, 1S07. 
Population, 1837, 1,082. It lies S5 
miles S. W. by W. from Augusta, 
about 28 S. W. from Paris, and 47 
N. W. from Portland. Denmark is 
finely watered by Saco river and 



several beautiful ponds. The prin- 
cipal business of the inhabitants is 
agricultural, for which they have 
a fertile soil, and which produced, 
in 1S37, 2,5G0 bushels of wheat. 

I>eniiis, Mass. 

Barnstable co. This town crosses 
the cape, and was taken from Yar- 
moulii in 17S3. Population, 1837, 
2,750. It lies 8 miles E. by N. 
from Barnstable, and 7 "VV. from 
Harwich. The first salt produced 
by solar evaporation in this country 
was made in this town, by John 
Sears and others, in 1776. About 
7,000 tons of shipping belong to this 
town, principally engaged in fish- 
ing and coasting, and all manned by 
natives of the town. Bass river, 
riiing from a pond, affords a small 
water power. 150 ship-masters be- 
long to this town, sailing from va- 
rious ports in the Union. The pro- 
ducts of the cod and mackerel fish- 
ing, in one j'ear, amounted to $50,- 
899. The manufacture of com- 
mon salt, Epsom salts, vessels, and 
lampblack, amounted to $25,975. 

DeiiMysville, Me. 

Washington co. This town is 
bounded on the S. by Cobscook 
baj', and watered by a river of the 
same name. It lies 172 miles E. 
N. E. from Augusta, and 22 N. W. 
from Machias. Population. 1887, 
349. 

Derby, Vt. 

Orleans co. First settled, 1795. 
It is bounded on the N. by Lower 
Canada, and on the W. by Mem- 
phremagog lake. Clyde river, the 
outlet of Salem pond, affords it a 
good water power. This town is 
very pleasant, level and fertile ; — 
it has some manufactures ; — the 
farmers are industrious and rear a 
large number of sheep. Derby is 
50 "miles N. N. E. from Montpe- 
lier, and 15 N. N.E. from Irasburgh. 
Population, 1830, 1,469. 



NKVV ENGLAND GAZETTEEU. 



Derby, Ct. 

New Havon co. The Indian 
nrme of thi-! town was Paugasset. 
It was purchased of Ihe Indians, 
and incorpoi-ated in U)75. The sur- 
face of the town is uneven, with 
some fertile meadow on tlie hanks of 
the rivers. Derhj' is watered hy the 
Housatonie'v and Naup;atuck rivers. 
Derby Landins^, Smitliviile and 
riumphreysville, arc the principal 
places of business. 

The Landing is on the cast side 
of the Housatoniek, just below the 
junction of that river witli tiie 
Naugatuclc, and is 8 miles N. V/. 
from New Haven, and 14 from Ihe 
mouth of the river at Stratford, on 
Long Island Sound. Vessels of 10 
feet draught of water can pass to 
the Landing, from which wood and 
other commodities are transported 
by water. 

Smithville is located in view of 
the Landing, and commands a beau- 
tiful pro-pcet. It has extensive 
manufactures of copper, in sheets 
and wire, augurs, carriage springs 
and axlctrees, nails and tacks, flan- 
nels, satinets, and other operations 
by the waters of the Naugatuck, 
passing through a c.inal of about 
a mile in length. This village was 
commenced in IS31, and is very 
flourishing. 

Humph reysville is located in a 
small valley, on the Naugatuck 
river, about 4 miles from the Land- 
ing. The Humphreysville Manu- 
facturing Company was incorpora- 
ted in 1810. The building is 4 sto- 
ries high and 100 feet long. In this 
village and around it is some of the 
most beautiful and romantic scene- 
ry in New England. This village 
derived its name from the Hon. 
David Humphreys, a native of 
Derby, a poet, an aid to Washing- 
ton, and a minister to Spain. He 
died at New Haven, February 21, 
1818, aged <V:. 

JJcrry, N. 11. 

Rockingham co. A fine grazing 



townsiiip, taken from Londonderry 
in 182S. The principal manufac- 
tures are linen thread and cloth, 
palm-lcaf hats and shoes. The 
village is very handsome, and a 
great thoroughfare for travellers. 
The soil is very productive, an(i the 
inhabitants arc remarkable for their 
industry, general wealth and lon- 
gevity, berry lies 18 miles W. 
S. W. from P^xeter, and 25 S. E. 
from Concord. Population, 1830, 
2,176. 

Dexter, Me. 

Penobscot co. This town was 
first settled in 1801. ^ncorpoiated, 
1S15. it lies 67 miles N. E. from 
Augusta, and 3j N. W. from Ban- 
gor. Population, 1S37, 1,401. Dex- 
ter is a valuable township of land. 
The farmers reap a rich reward for 
their labo.-.i. In 1837, 7000 busheb 
of wheat was raised. In this town 
is a pond covering .500 acres, at 
the outlet of which are mills and a 
beautiful village. 

Diamond Ri-rei', 2V. H. 

Diamond river has its principal 
source in Diamond pond, in Stew- 
artstown. From thence it passes 
through Dixville, and after receiv- 
ing several tributaries, falls into the 
Dead river near its junction with 
the ]Margallaway. 

DigUton, Mass. 

Bristol CO. A port of entry, on 
the west side of Taunton river, oppo- 
site to Berkley. Population, lS-">7, 
1,453. 40 miles S. from Boston, 8 
S. from Taunton, and 20 N. W. by 
W. from New Bedford. There are 
in this place three cotton factories, 
a woolen mill, a furnace, and other 
iron works. Tonnage of the dis- 
trict, 9,032 tons. The noted " Digh- 
ton Rock," so called, on which are 
inscriptions difficult to decypher, 
in fact lies on the Beikley .''ide of 
the river. The value of cotton and 
woolen goods, boots and shoes, 
pig iron and wooden ware manu- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



factured, and vessels built in Digh- 
ton, in one year, was $30,000, 

Dixfield, Me. 

Oxford CO. This is a good farming 
town on the north bank of tlie An- 
droscoggin river, 42 miles N. W. 
by W. from Augusta, and 25 N. by 
E. from Paris. Incorporated, 1S0;>. 
Population, 1837, 1,148. In 1837, 
5,522 bushels of wlieat was raised 
in Dixiield. 

Dixniout, Mc. 

Penobscot co. This town deriv- 
ed its name from Dr. Elijah Dix, 
late of Boston, one of the original 
proprietors, and from a hill or moun- 
tain in the town, beautifully wood- 
ed to its summit. It is on the height 
of land between the Kennebec and 
Penobscot. The surface of the 
town is undulating; the soil excel- 
lent and of easy cultivation. It an- 
nually produces large quantities of 
hay, .some corn, rye and wool. — 
In 1837, a bounty of $649 40 was 
obtained for raising 932 1-2 bushels 
of wheat. There is a pond in the 
town and some mill privileges. 
Dixmont lies 44 miles N. £. from 
Augusta, and 24 S. W. from Ban- 
gor. Incorporated, 1807. Popu- 
lation, 1830, 1,323. 

DixvUle, N. H., 

Coos CO., was granted in 1805, 
to the late Col. Timothy Dix, 
jr., of Boscawen. It comprises 
31,023 acres of uneven land. Nu- 
merous streams meander through 
this town from the surrounding 
heights. Dixville lies about 40 
miles N. N. E. from Lancaster. 
In 1810 it had a population of 12 ; 
and in 1830, of only 2. 

Dorchester, IV. I!., 

Grafton co., is situated on the 
highlands between Ccninccticut 
and Merrimack rivers, 12 miles 
from the former, and 8 from the 
latter. It is 23 miles S. by E. 
from Haverhill, 50 N. W. from 



Concord, and 90 N. W. by W. from 
Portsmouth. The principal streams 
are the S. branch of Baker's river, 
a branch of Mascomy, and Rocky 
branch. There are two considera- 
ble ponds, both in the W. part of 
the town. The soil in same parts 
is very fertile; particularly the in- 
tervales on the branch of Baker's 
river. The highlands are very un- 
even, and the greater part rocky. 
First settled about the year 1772. 
Population, 1830, 702. 

Dorcliester, Slass. 

Noifolk CO. This ancient and 
respectable town lies on Dorches- 
ter bay, in Boston harbor, 5 miles S. 
from Boston, and 7 N. E. from Ded- 
ham. Population, 1837, 4,564. It 
was first settled by a party of Puri- 
tans from England. These pilgrims 
landed fiom the ship Mai-y and 
John, at Nantasket, on the llth of 
June, 1630, and on the 17lh day of 
that month they located themselves 
at the Indian Mattapan, and called 
it Dorchester, in honor of their pi- 
ous and learned fiiend, the Rev. 
John White, of Dorchester, 120 
miles W. fiom London. The town 
was incorporated on the 7th of 
September following, and included 
most of the territory of the towns 
of Milton, Canton, Stoughton, Sha- 
lon, and that part of Boston on which 
stand " Dorchester Heights," me- 
morable for their sudden conversion 
into a fortress, for the protection of 
l?oston harbor, by order of Wash- 
ington, on the night of March 4, 
1776. These lands were obtained 
fiom the Indians by puixhase, not 
by combat. The present limits of 
the town are about 6 by 3 1-2 
miles. Dorchester furnished pio- 
neers for tiie settlement of many 
parts of the country. A party from 
this town crossed the trackless wil- 
derness in 14 days, and settled Hart- 
ford, on Connecticut river, in 1635. 
In 1695, another party emigrated 
from this place, and settled Dor- 
chester, in South Carolina, and af- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



terwards Mcdway, in Georgia. The 
soil of Dorcliestor is rocky, but ve- 
ry fertile and under a iii;.h state of 
cultivation. It is eseeci.ingly pro- 
ductive, particularly of vegetables, 
fruits and flowers. Its surface is 
greatly variegated, presenting a 
continual succession of picturesque 
and delightful views of the coun- 
try, city, and sea. Its hill-tops and 
valleys arc decked with fai-m hou- 
ses and tasteful villas, and no where 
can be found the union of town and 
country enjoyments more complete. 
The beautiful Neponset washes the 
whole of the southern border of 
the town, and besides its navigable 
privileges, aObrds it a laige and val- 
uable water power. The first wa- 
ter mill in America was erected in 
this town, in 16.}:i; and here, about 
the same time, the cod lishery, the 
boast of New England, was tirst 
commenced. There are now 4 ves- 
sels employed in the whale, and 16 
in the cod and other fisheries. To- 
tal tonnage, 2,210 tons. Capital 
invested," $190,000. Product, in 
one year, $138,349. The manu- 
factures of Dorchester consist of 
cotton goods, boots, shoes, hats, pa- 
per, cabinet ware, block tin, tin 
ware, leather, wearing apparel, 
Boap, candles, chocolate, and play- 
ing cards ; the aggregate amount of 
which, in one year, was $457,400. 
The first settlers of Dorchester 
came aregularlj' orijanized church, 
with its pastor and officers. They 
Boon erected a liouse of public wor- 
ship ; but it is a singular fact that 
" none can tell the precise spot 
where the first meeting-house was 
located, nor does a single stone re- 
main to designate the site of the 
original burying ground." There 
are, however, some mementos of 
olden times. The earliest date in 
the present ancient cemetery that 
can be distinctly traced, is 1(;44. We 
copy the following from among ma- 
ny singular effusions, found on the 
grave-stones in that cemetery, in 
commemoration of the dead. i 



"Here lies our Captain and M;ijor of 
SutToik was withal, 

A (jO(ily Magistrate was he and Ma- 
jor (ieueral, 

Two troops of horse with him here 
canio.siuh worth his love did crave. 

Ten conijiaiiios of foot also, mournini; 
marrhcd to !iis crave. 

Let all that read be sure to keep the 
faith as he lias done ; 

Witii Christ he lives now crowned, his 
name was Humphrey .^therton." 

On the grave of three brothers, btf 
the name of Clarke. 

'•Here lies three Claiks.tlicir accounts 

are even, 
Entered on earth, carried up to heav- 



Johnson, in his " Wonder Work- 
ing Providence," thus speaks of 
Dorchester in 16:54. 

" The forme of this Towne is al- 
most like a Serpent turning her 
head to the Northward ; over 
against Tompson's Island, and the 
Castle, her body and wings being 
chiefly built on, are filled some- 
what thick of Houses, onely that 
one of her Wings isclift, herTayle 
being of such large extent that 
Shec can hardly draw it after her. 
Her houses for dwelling are about 
one hundred and forty ; Orchards 
and Gardens, full of Fruit-trees, 
plenty of Corne Land, although 
much of it hath been long in tillage, 
yet hath it ordinarily good crops ; 
the number of trees are near upon 
1.500. Cowes and other Cattell of 
that kinde about 450. Thus hatli 
the Lord been pleased to increase 
his poore dispersed people, wliose 
number in this Flock are n.ear about 
150. Their first Pastor called to 
feede them was the Reverend and 
godly ]\Ir. Maveruck." 

Among the first settlers of Dor- 
chester was George Minot, a rul- 
ing elder of the church for thirty 
years. He erected a dwelling-house 
in that part of Dorchester where 
the pleasant village of Neponset 
now stands. That house is now 
standing, and is doubtless one of 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



the oldest houses in the country. 
It is in good repair, and has ever 
remained in possession of _Mr. Mi- 
not's lineal descendants. Mr. Mi- 
not died December 24, 1671, aged 
78. This house is more celebrated 
for the female heroism displayed 
within its v/alls, than for its anti- 
quity. A party of Narraganset In- 
dians, hunting on the borders of Nc- 
ponset river, stopped at elder Mi- 
not's house and demanded food and 
drink. On being refused they 
threatened vengeance, and tlie sa- 
chem, or chief of the party, left an 
Indian in ambush to watch an op- 
portiiaity to effect it. Soon after, 
in the absence of all the family, 
except a young woman and two 
small children, the Indian attacked 
the house and fired at the young 
woman, but missed his mark. The 
girl placed the children under two 
brass kettles and bade tliem be si- 
lent. She then loaded Mr. Minot's 
gun and shot the Indian in the 
shoulder. He again attacked the 
house, and in attempting to enter 
the window, the girl threw a shovel 
full of live coals into his face and 
lodged them in his blanket. On 
this the Indian fled. The next day 
he was found dead in the woods. 
The Indian's name was Chicka- 
taubut, but not the Narraganset sa- 
chem of that name. The govern- 
ment of Massachusetts bay present- 
ed this brave young woman with a 
silver wristband, on which hei- name 
was engraved, with this motto, — 
" She slew the JVarrhaganset hun- 
ter." 

Dorset, Vt. 

Bennington co. This town was 
first settled in 1768, and organized 
the following year. Paulet and 
Battenkill rivers rise in this town, 
and, with the waters of Otter creek, 
which pass the northern part, afford 
some mill privileges, which are used 
for manufacturing purposes. There 
are two mountains partly in this 
town, the Dorset and Equinox. 



There is a cavern in the south part 
of the town of some note. It is 
entered by an aperture nearly 10 
feet square, " wlach opens into a 
spacious room nine rods in length 
and four wide. At the further end 
of this apartment are two openings 
which arc about .30 feet apart. The 
one on the right is three feet from 
the floor, and is about 20 inches by 
six feet in length. It leads to an 
apartment 20 feet long, 12 wide and 
12 high. From this i-oom there is 
an opening suthcient to admit a man 
to pass through sideways about 20 
feet, when it opens into a large hall 
80 feet long and 30 wide. The 
other aperture from the first room 
is about as large as a common door, 
and leads to an apartment 12 feet 
square, out of which is a passage to 
another considerable room, in which 
is a rpring of water. This cavern 
is said to have been explored 40 or 
50 rods without arriving at the end." 
Dorset lies 26 miles N. from Bur- 
lington and 91 S. S. W. from Monl- 
peiier. Population, 1S30, 1,507. 

Eoiiglas, Mass. 

Worcester co. This town lies 
47 miles W. S. W. from Boston, 17 
S. E. from Worcester, and 21 N. 
W. from Providence. Population, 
1830, 1,742. Here is good mead- 
ow land, iron ore, and valuable 
water privileges on Mumford liver. 
In this town was manufactured, in 
1836, ^55,000 value of cotton goods; 
boots and shoes, ijfc5,250 ; leather, 
.|1,500; and ^116,400 of axes and 
hatchets; besides large quantities 
of hatchet handles and shoe lasts. 
Incorporated, 1731. 

Kover, Me. 

Piscataquis co. Bounded N. by 
Piscataquis river, S. by Garland, 
W. by Sangerville and E. by Atkin- 
son. It lies 77 miles N. by E. from 
Augusta, and about 35 miles N. W. 
from Bangor. Incorporated, 1822. 
Population, 1837, 1,042. Dover is 
the shire town of this new county. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



and remarkable for its beauty. It 
produced, in 1837, 10,290 bushels 
of wheat. 

Dover, IV. II. 

This is one of the most interest- 
ing and important towns in New 
Hampshire. It is one of the county 
towns of Strafford counlj', and liej 
40 miles E. fiom Concord, 12 N. 
W. by N. from Portsmouth, and 45 
S. W. from Portland. Population, 
1830, 5,549. The principal streams 
of Dover, are the Cocheco, and 
Bellamy Bank, or Back river. They 
take a S. E. course through the 
town, and unite with other waters 
to form the Piscataqua. 

Cocheco, or Quocbecho river, 
has its rise from several snnill 
streams in New Durham, wliich 
unite in Farmington, whence the 
liver meanders throu2,h Rochester, 
there receiving the Isinglass, a trib- 
utary, and thence passes through 
Dover into the Newichwannock,or 
Salmon Fall river, the principal 
branch of the Piscataqua. The 
Cocheco is a beautiful river, and 
very important (o the inhabitants of 
Rochester and Dover. Passing over 
this town in any direction, the trav- 
eller finds no rugged mountains, nor 
extensive bai'ren plains, but occa- 
sionally ascends gentle swells of 
land, from the height of which the 
eye meets sonie (lelightful object; 
a winding stream, a well cultivated 
farm, or a distant village. In the 
S. part of the town is a neck of 
land about 2 miles long and half a 
mile broad, having Piscataqua on 
one. side, and Back river on the 
other. From the road on cither 
hand, the land gradually dcscc;nds 
to the riveris. It commands a very 
delightful, variegated, and exten- 
sive prospect of bays, adjacent 
shores, and distant mountains. On 
this neck the iirst settlement of 
the town was made, in 1()23, by a 
cojupany in England, whoso design 
it was to plant a colony, and estab- 



lish a fishery around tlie Piscata- 
qua ; for which purpose they sent 
i)V(M-, with several otiiers, Edward 
and William Hilton, fishmongers, 
of London. These men commenced 
their operations on the Neck at a 
place by the Indians called IVini- 
(•/ia/H//H/f,wliichtli(^y called. A c/rtA- 
ain, and afterwards leaver. For 
sevei-al years, this spot embraced 
the principal part of the population 
of the town ; here was erected the 
lir.st meeting-house, afterwards sur- 
rounded with an entrenchment, and 
flankarls, the remains of which arc 
still visible ; here the people as- 
k-cmhlcd to worship, and to transact 
their public business. In process 
of time, the business and popula- 
tion of the town began to centre 
around Cocheco falls, about 4 miles 
N. \\ . from the neck. These fall." 
are in the river whoso name they 
bear, and give to the w^ater that pas- 
ses over them a sudden descent of 
32 1-2 feet. Situate at the head of 
navigation, about 12 miles from the 
ocean, having a fertile country on 
the north, west, and south, they are 
considered among the most valu- 
able in New England. Around 
these falls the beautiful village of 
Dover is situated, containing many 
handsome buildings. 

The Dover "Cotton Factory Com- 
panj-," at Cocheco falls, was incor- 
porated in 1S20. They have one 
brick mill of 420 feet by 45, 7 stories 
high, and two other mills of the 
same material, 154 by 43 feet, one 
5 and the other 6 stories high. — 
These mills oontrdn 25,040 spindles 
and 7(JS looms, and manufacture an- 
nually 5,000,000 yards of cotton 
cloth ; the jjiiucipal part of which 
is bleached, and printed into calico 
by the company. This company 
employ a capital of more than a 
million of dollars, and about 1,000 
persons. There are other manu- 
facturing establishments at Dover, 
but this is the principal. 

A socictv of Friends was estab- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



lished here at an early period, and 
formerly comprised about one third 
of the population. 

A congregational church was or- 
ganized in 1638. A Mr. Leverich, 
a worthy puritan, was their first 
minister, and probably the first or- 
dained minister that preached the 
gospel in New Hampshire. Mr. 
Leverich soon removed, and until 
the settlement of the pious Daniel 
Maud, in 1642, the church was 
much oppressed by the bad charac- 
ter of their ministers. 

The Rev. Jeremy Belknap, 
D. D. the celebrated histoiian of 
New Hampshire, was ordained in 
this town in 1767. He removed to 
IJoston, and was settled there April 
4, 1787. He died in Boston, June 
-.^0, 1798, aged 54. 

This town in its early j'ears was 
greatly frequented by the Indians ; 
and experienced many suli'erings 
in their repeated attacks upon the 
inhabitants. In 1675, Maj. Wal- 
dron by a stratagem secured about 
200 Indians at Dover, who had at 
times exhibited signs of hostility. 
Seven or eight of them, who had 
been guilty of some atrocities, were 
immediately hanged, and the rest 
pold into slavery. The Indians 
abroad rega-ded this act of Waldron 
as a breach of faith, and swore 
against him implacable revenge. 
In 1G89, after a lapse of 13 years, 
they determined to execute their 
project. Previous to the fatal night 
(27th of June) some hints had been 
thrown out by the squaws, but they 
were either misunderstood or dis- 
regarded ; and the people sufltred 
them to sleep in their garrisons as 
usual. In the stillness of night the 
doors of the garrisons were opened, 
and the Indians, at a concei-ted sig- 
nal, rose from their lurking places, 
and rushed upon the defenceless in- 
habitants. Waklion,though80 years 
of age, made a gallant defence, but 
was overwhelmed by the superior 
numbers of his iidversaries, who 
literally cut him to pieces. In this 



affair, 2.3 persons were killed, and 
29 made prisoners. The Indiana 
were soon overtaken and nearly the 
whole party destroyed. 

Dover, Vt. 

Windham co. This town was a 
part of Waidshorough, until 1810. 
It lies 12 miles N. \V. from Brattle- 
borough, 17 N. E. from Benning- 
ton, and 120 S. by W. fiom Mont- 
pelier. The land in Dover is high 
and uneven ; — more fit for pastur- 
age than tillage. It is the source 
of several branches of West, and a 
branch of Deerfield river. Ser- 
pentine and chlorite slate are found 
he?e. Population, ISSU, 831. 

Cover, Mass. 

Noi'folk CO. Dover lies 5 milei 
W. from Dedham, and 14 S. S. W. 
from Boston. It was taken from 
Dedham in 17S4. This town is 
bounded northerly by Charles river, 
and in it are manufactures of nails, 
iron hoops and rods, ploughs, brush- 
es, boots and shoes. Total amount 
of manufactures in 1836, $99,558. 
The surface of Dover is uneven, 
and a large part of it covered with 
wood. Population, 1837, 518. 

Bo\^ 11 East, Me. 

W^e crave the favor of a letter 
from our friends " Town East." 
See Barnard, Me. 

Dracut, Mass. 

Middlesex co. Dracut is united 
to Lowell by a bridge over Merri- 
mack liver. The town is pleasant- 
ly situated on the N. side, on the 
line of N. H., with a tolerable soil 
and some water power, by Beaver 
river. It lies 27 miles N. from Bos- 
ton, and 16 N. by E. from Concord. 
Incorpoi-ated, 1701. Population, 
1837, 1,898. The manufactures of 
Dracut consist of woolen goods, 
leather, cutlery, boots and shoe*. 
Annual amount, exclusive of wool- 
en goods, about !fe25,0C0. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



Dresden, Me. 

Lincoln co. On the E. bank of 
Kennebec river, near the head ol' 
Swan Is^land, 9 miles N. W. from 
Wiscasset, 11 S. from Augusta, and 
59 N. E. from Portland. This is a 
larg-e aoricultural township, with 
some trade on the river. Previous 
to the division of the county, in 
1789, Dresden was the shire town 
or place where all the courts in 
Maine were hohlcn, E. of Kenne- 
bec river. Dresden was incorpo- 
rated as a town in 1794. Popula- 
tion, 1837, 1,570. 

I>rc«"sville, X. Ilf 
See TValpole. 

DnbUu, N. H. 

Cheshire co. It is 10 miles F. 
by S. from Kecne, and .'jO S. W. 
from Concord. Dublin is situated 
on the height of land between Con- 
necticut and Merrimack rivers. Its 
streams are small ; those on the W. 
side run into the Ashuelot, those on 
the E. into Contoocook river. The 
rain which falls on the roof of the 
church is shared by the rivers. — 
There is a pond near the middle of 
the town called Centre pond, one 
mile in length and a])Out the same 
in breadth. A large portion of the 
Grand Monadnock lies in the N. W. 
part of Dublin, and near the cen- 
tre of the town is Breed's moun- 
tain. Monadnock was formerly co- 
vered with a growth of small tim- 
ber and shrubbery, but fires hav- 
ing run over it at diflorcnt times, 
it presents little more than ragged 
rocks. Between the rocks, how- 
ever, there are low whortleberry 
bushes, which produce great quan- 
tities of fruit of a very rich flavor. 
The season for ripening is the lat- 
ter part of August, and to those 
who ascend the summit at this spa- 
pon thej' arc peculiarly grateful. 
This mountain is not difficult of ac- 
cess. The view from its summit 
is sublime. Its heisrht is 3,718 feet 
above the level of the sea. The 
11 



land in general is much better for 
grazing than tillage. The late Rev. 
Edward Si)rague bequeathed near- 
ly 8,000 dollars for the support of 
public schools, the annual interest 
of which is to be applied to this ob- 
ject. He also loft the town .*f5,000, 
the interest of which, paid quarter- 
ly, is to 1)0 ai)plied to the support 
of an ordained congregational min- 
ister, who shall statedly preach in 
Dublin. The first settlements were 
in 1762, by John Alexander, and 
others. Population, 1830, 1,218. 

Dudley, Mass. 

Worcester co. This good farm- 
ing town was called by the Indians 
Chahanaknngkonutm. It is finely 
watered by the Quinnebaug and 
other streams, and possesses excel- 
lent mill privileges. During the 
year ending April 1, 1837, the val- 
ue of the manufactures of Dudley 
amounted to f;^31(j.S2fi. The arti- 
cles manufactured were woolen 
goods, leather, shoos, scythe snaiths, 
chairs, and cabinet ware. The val- 
ue of wool grown wasq(!l,5S5. 

Dudley lies .5.3 miles S. W. from 
Boston, IS S. fiom Worcester, and 
34 N. W. from Piovidence. Incorpo- 
rated, 1731. Population, 1837, 1,415. 

Duke's County, Mass. 

Edgarton is the county town. 
This county is formed of the islands 
of Martha's Vineyard, Chappequid- 
dic, Elizabeth Islands, and No 
Man's Land — the latter of which 
is the southern extremity of Mas- 
sachusetts. These islands lie off 
and S. of Barnstable county and 
Buzzard's bay, and contain about 
120 square miles. The principal 
island, Martha's Vineyard, the In- 
dian JVope, or Capaicock, was first 
settled by the whites, at Edgarton, 
in Ifill, and is 21 miles in length 
and 6 in breadth. Although a large 
portion of this county is woodland, 
and many of the people engaged 
in the fisheries and coasting trade, 
yet considerable exports are annu- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



ally made of wool, woolen cloth, 
salt and grain. This county suffer- 
ed much during the revolutionary 
war. In 1778, the people were 
compelled to surrender their tire 
arms and 2,300 head of cattle to the 
British. Incorporated, 1695. Pop- 
ulation, 1S20, 3,292; 1830, 3,-518 ; 
1837, 3,785: 32 inhabitants to a 
square mile. There were on these 
islands, in 1837, 11,281 sheep. 

Dnmnter, N. H., 

Coos CO., is bounded N. by Mills- 
field and Errol, and comprises 23,- 
040 acres. It was granted March 
8, 1773, and is watered by the Am- 
moiioosuck and Androscoggin. — 
Population, 1830, 65. 

Diuumerstou, Vt. 

Windham co. West river passes 
through this town and gives it a 
good water power. The surface is 
rough and hilly, but adapted to graz- 
ing. Black mountain, near the cen- 
tre, is a vast body of granite. Good 
slate for buildings, and primitive 
limestone are found. There are in 
Dummerston some manufacturing- 
concerns, and a considerable number 
of sheep. Population, 1830, 1,592: 
90 miles S. from Montpelier, and 8 
S, E. from Ncwfane. 

Ditul>arto», N. II. 

Merrimack co. This town lies 
9 miles S. W. from Concord, and 7 
S. E. from Hopkinton. Population, 
1830, 1,067. The situation of the 
town is somewhat elevated, though 
there are but few hills, nor any 
mountains. The air is clear, the 
water is good, and tlie health of its 
inhabitants is seldom interrupted by 
sickness. The soil is good, pecu- 
liarly suited for corn, wheat and or- 
charding. Almost every lot in town 
is capable of making a good farm. 
The farmers here have good build- 
ings and are excellent hvisbandmen. 
The advantages in point of water 
privileges are not great. The in- 
habitants are principally descend- 



ants of Scotch Irish, so called, from 
the Nortli of Ireland. Their pos- 
terity still retain many traits of 
character peculiar to that people. 
Dunltarton was granted in 1751, to 
Archibald Stark and others. Its 
present name is derived from Dum- 
barton, in Scotland, from whence 
Stark emigrated. The first settle- 
ment was made about 1749. Wil- 
liam Stinson, born in Ireland, came 
to Londonderry with his father. He 
was much respected and was a use- 
ful man. James Rogers was from 
Ireland, and father to Major Robert 
Rogers. He was shot in the woods, 
being mistaken for a bear. 

Duninore Lake, Vt. 

See Salisbury. 

Dunstable, Mass. 

Middlesex co. Nashua river wa- 
ters the N. W. part of the town, 
and passes into Nashua, N. H. The 
surface of the town is level ; — some 
part of it is good land, but general- 
ly it is light and sandy. It has no 
manufactures, and only 315 sheep. 
Population, 1837, 570. Incorpora- 
ted, 1683. Dunstable lies 27 miles 
N. W. from Boston, 18 N. by W. 
from Concord, and 6 S. from Nashua. 

Diirliani, Me. 

Cumberland co. Located on the 
S. side of Androscoggin river, and 
united with Lisbon by a bridge. 
This is a township of good land, and 
farming is the principal occupation 
of the inhabitants. Durham lies 
25 miles N. from Portland and 31 
S. W. from Augusta. Population, 
1837, 1,832. Incorporated, 1789. 

Durliani, N. H., 

Strafford co., is 32 miles E. by 
S. from Concord, 11 W. N. W. from 
Portsmouth, and 7 S. from Dover. 
Population, 1830,1,606. The situ- 
ation of this town, upon the Piscat- 
aqua and its branches, is very favor- 
able both as to water power and 
transportation. Oyster river, one of 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



the branches of the Piscataqua, is- 
sues from Wheelwright's pond, in 
Lee, and after running nearly its 
whole course in Durham, furnishing 
in its progress several convenient 
mill scats, falls info the main river 
near Piscataqua bridge. This bridge 
is 2,600 feet in length and 40 in 
width. It cost .f 65,400. The tide 
flows in this branch of the river up 
to the falls near the meeting-house 
in the village, where business to a 
large amount is annually tiansacted. 
This village is a very central depot 
for the lumber and produce of the 
adjacent country. Lamprey river, 
another branch of the Piscataqua, 
runs through the westerly part of 
tliis town, over several falls remark- 
ably well adapted for mill seats, into 
the town of New Market, where it 
falls into the Great Bay. Upon both 
sides of Oyster river, a deep argil- 
laceous loam prevails, which is pe- 
culiarly favorable to the production 
of the grasses, of which very heavy 
crops are cut, and hay is an article 
of considerable export. Extensive 
ledges of excellent granite, with 
which this town abounds, have been 
the source of much profitable em- 
ployment to the inhabitants. A 
large block of detached granite in 
the southeast part of this town was 
formerly placed in a very singular 
situation. Its weight was 60 or 70 
tons, and it was poised so exactly 
upon two other stones as to be visi- 
bly moved by the wind. It was 
some years since dislodged from 
this extraordinary position by the 
barbarous curiosity of some visit- 
ors. Durham was originally a j)art 
of Dover; but soon after its settle- 
ment was formed into a distinct par- 
ish by the name of Oi/stej- river, 
from the stream which passes 
through it. From the abundance 
of excellent oysters found in its 
waters, this river probably derived 
its name, and it was a famous ren- 
dezvous of the Indians. For many 
years this place suffered exceeding- 
ly by Indian depredations and mur- 



ders. In 1694, when a large part 
of the inhabitants had marched to 
the westward, the Indians, who 
were dispersed in the woods about 
Oyster river, having diligently ob- 
served the number of men in one 
of the garrisons, rushed upon eigh- 
teen of them, as they were going 
to their morning devotions, and hav- 
ing cut oil' their retreat to the house, 
put them all to death except one, 
who fortunately escaped. They 
then attacked the house, in which 
there were only two boys, beside 
the women and children. The 
boys kept them off for some time 
and wounded several of them. At 
length the Indians set fire to the 
house and even then the boys would 
not surrender till the Indians had 
promised to spare their lives. The 
hitter, however, perlldiously mur- 
dered three or four children, one 
of whom they fixed upon a sharp 
stake in the view of its mother. 
The next spring the Indians nar- 
rowly watched the frontiers, to de- 
termine the safest and most vul- 
nerable points of attack. The 
settlement at Oyster river was se- 
lected for destruction. Here were 
twelve gai-risoned houses, amply 
sufficient for the reception of the 
inhabitants ; but not apprehending 
any danger, many of the families 
remained in their unfortified houses, 
and those who were in the garrisons 
were indifferently prepared for a 
siege, as they were destitute of 
powder. The enemy approached 
the place undiscovered and halted 
near the falls. One John Dean, 
whose house stood near the falls, 
happening to rise very early for a 
jouiney before the dawn of day, 
was shot as he came out of his 
door. The attack now commenced 
on all points where the enemy was 
ready. The enemy entered the 
house of a Mr. Adams without 
resistance, where they murdered 
fourteen pei'sons, whose gra%'es can 
still be traced. The house of John 
Buss, the minister, was destroyed 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



together with his valuable library. 
He was absent at the time, and his 
wife and family fled to the woods. 
Many other cruelties were perpe- 
trated, when (he Indians, fearing 
that the inhabitants from the neigh- 
boring settlements would collect 
against them, retreated, having 
killed or captured between 90 and 
100 persons, and destroyed 20 
houses, 5 of which were gairisoned. 
Minute accounts of these disasters 
are given in Belknap's valuable His- 
tory of New Hampshire, to which 
the reader is referred. The first 
preacher who statedly officiated in 
Durham was John Buss; but he 
never was ordained. He died 1736, 
at the age of lOS. Rev. Hugh 
Adams settled March 2«, 1718. 

Maj. Gen. John Sullivan, of 
the revolutionary army, was a res- 
ident of this town, and died here 
Jan. 23, 1795. He was a native of 
Berwick, Me. ; was a distinguished 
commander during the war; was 
president of the state three years, 
and afterwards district judge of 
New Hampshire. On all occasions 
he proved himself the firm support- 
er of the rights of the country. 

Durliam, Ct. 

Middlesex co. This town was 
first settled in 1698. Its Indian 
name was Coginchaus^. It lies 7 
miles S. by W. from Middletown, 
and 20 S. from Hartford. Popula- 
tion, 1830, 1,116. Agriculture is 
the principal employment of the 
people of Durham, for which they 
have rather an uneven but fertile 
soil. " This town has been distin- 
guished many years for a very tine 
breed of cattle. Two oxen, pre- 
sented by some of the inhabitants to 
General Washington, furnished a 
dinner for all the officers of the 
American army at Valley Forge, 
and all their servants. These oxen 
were driven almost five hundred 
miles, through a country nearly ex- 
hausted of its forage ; yet one of 
them, a steer, five years old, weigh- 



ed two thousand two hundred and 
seventy pounds." 

Capt. Israel Camp, a noted psalm- 
odist died in Durham, in 1778. 

Dustoii's Islaud, N. H. 

This small island in the Merrimack 
at the mouth of Contoocook river, 
between Concord and Boscawen, 
has become celebrated on account 
of an exploit of a lady whose name 
it bears. On the loth March, 1698, 
the Indians made a descent on Ha- 
verhill, Mass. where they took Mrs. 
Hannah Duston, who was confined 
to her bed with an infant only six 
days old, and attended by her nurse, 
Mary Niff. The Indians took Mrs. 
Duston from her bed and carried 
her away with the nurse and infant. 
They soon despatched the latter by 
dashing its head against a tree. 
When they had proceeded as far as 
this island, which has been justly 
called Duston's island, on their way 
to an Indian town situate a consid- 
erable distance above, the Indians 
informed the women that they must 
be stripped and run the gauntlet 
through the village on their arrival. 
Mrs. Duston and her nurse had 
been assigned to a family consist- 
ing of twostout men, three women, 
and seven children, or young In- 
dians, besides an English boy who 
had been taken from Worcester. 
Mrs. Duston, aware of the cruel- 
ties that awaited her, formed the 
design of exterminating the whole 
family, and prevailed upon the 
nurse and the boy to assist her in 
their destruction. A little before 
day, finding the whole company in 
a sound sleep, she awoke her con- 
federates, and with the Indian 
hatchets despatched ten of the 
twelve. One of the women whom 
they thought they had killed made 
her escape, and a favorite boy they 
designedly left. Mrs. Duston and 
her companions arrived safe home 
with the scalps, though their dan- 
ger from the enemy and from fam- 
ine in travelling so far, must have 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



been great. The general court of 
Massachusetts made her a grant of 
j£50, and she received many other 
valuable presents. 

Duxbiiry, Vt. 

Washington co. This town lies 
on the S. side of Onion river, and is 
watered by several of its brandies. 
The land along Onion river is good, 
hut the greater part of the township 
is mountainous and unfit for culti- 
vation. Duxbury lies 12 miles V»'. 
from Montpelier. First settled, 
1786. Population, 1S30, 651. 

Duxbnry, Mass. 

Plymouth co. This town lies on 
Massachusetts bay in Plymouth har- 
bor. It is 29 miles S. E. from Bos- 
ton and 6 N. from Plymouth. Dux- 
bury affords some good land, a gooil 
water power and a great variety of 
scenery. Its Indian name was Jlat- 
akeeset. Ship building, the coasting 
trade and fisheries is the chief busi- 
ness of the place. In 1837, it had 
46 vessels employed in the cod and 
mackerel fishery, the product of 
which amounted to ;J;C9,51S. Val- 
ue of vessels built, $169,048. The 
value of woolen cloth, leather, boots, 
shoes, salt, iron, brass castings and 
tinware manufactured, amounted to 
$105,787. Some attention is paid 
here to rearing sheep, and the man- 
ufacture of cordage. 

There is in Duxbury an apple tree 
noted for its age, size and fruitful- 
nes8. It is upwards of a hundred 
years old. It is forty feet in height, 
and its circumference, eight inches 
from the ground, is 16 feet. Its 
fruit, in one year, has made 10 bar- 
rels of cider, besides 30 bushels for 
the cellar. Population, 1837,2,789. 

Dyer's Bay, Me. 

See Steuben. 

Eagle Lake, Me. 

This large lake is in the county 
of Penobscot, between the Aroos- 
took and St. John's rivers. It is 
11* 



connected with some lakes of smal- 
ler size. The general outlet is north 
by Chipquedopskook river, about 14 
miles in length, into the river St 
John. Great quantities of logs are 
taken to this outlet, sawed and sent 
to New Brunswick. 

East Bridge-water, Mass. 

Plymouth co. This town lies on 
a branch of Taunton river, and was, 
until 1823, a part of the ancient 
Bridgcwater. It is 24 miles S. by 
E. from Boston and 17 S. W. from 
Plymouth. Population, 18.30, 1,653 
—1837, 1,927. East Biidgewater 
has a good water power, and man- 
ufactured the year ending April 1, 
1837, $414,044value of goods. The 
articles consisted of cotton goods, 
boots, slioes, leather, bar iron, nails, 
tack-^, lead pipe, chaises, window 
blinds, sashes and shoe boxes. 

Eastbrook, Me. 

Hancock co. Incorporated, 1837. 
See " Baton £^ast." 

East GreenMicb, R. I. 

Shire town of Kent co. This 
town was incorporated in 1677, and 
is pleasantly located on Narragan- 
set bay, 13 miles S. from Provi- 
dence, and comprises an excellent 
harbor for ships of 500 tons burthen. 
A number of vessels are owned 
here, and the coasting trade and 
fisheries give employment to many 
of the inhabitants. The town is 
watered by Maskachug and Hunt's 
rivers, on which are cotton mills 
and other manufactories. The soil 
of the town is rather rough and 
stony, but it yields good crops of 
corn, barley and potatoes. East 
Greenwich is noted for excellent 
fruit and cider. 

The " Kentish Guards" was es- 
tablished here in 1774, and proved 
a nursery of distinguished officers, 
of whicli the celebrated General 
Nathaniel Greene was one. Across 
the bav, to Bristol, is about 8 miles. 
Population, 1830, 1,591. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



East Hacldaiu, Ct. 

Middlesex co. A town of con- 
siderable trade and manufacturing 
enterprise, on the east side of the 
Connecticut, and at the outlet of 
Salmon river. It lies IS miles above 
the mouth of Connecticut river, 14 
below Middletown, and 30 S. S. E. 
from Hartford. The soil is hilly and 
rocky, and more fit for grazing than 
tillage. Considerable business is 
done here in the shad fishery. It is 
supposed that more leather is made 
in this than in any other town in the 
state. This place has fine water 
privileges, both for navigation and 
manufactures. A short distance fiom 
the centre of the town is a pond 
covering 1,000 acres. On the river 
formed by the outlet of this pond, 
the water is precipitated over rocks 
nearly 70 feet perpendicular. The 
scenery around these falls is beau- 
tiful, and worthy of particular no- 
tice. 

There are 6 cotton mills in East 
Haddam, two of wliich manufac- 
ture twine. 

Leesville, on Salmon river, and 
Mechanicsville , on Moodus river, 
a branch of Salmon river, ire very 
flourishing settlements. 

This place, the Indian JlTacki- 
moodus, is remarkable for frequent 
slight shocks of earthquakes, pro- 
ducing singular noises, which the 
Indians attributed to the anger of 
their gods towards the white men. 
It is said that some valuable geolo- 
gical discoveries have recently been 
made in this quarter. The town 
was first settled in 1685, but not in- 
corporated until 1724. Population, 
in 1835, about 3,000. This is the 
birth place of many distinguished 
men. The venerable Nathaniel 
Emmons, D. D., of Franklin, Mass. 
was born here. 

Eastliam, Mass., 

Barnstable co., on a narrow part 
of the cape, 23 miles E. by N. from 
Barnstable. Population in 1837, 



1,059. First settled, 1644. Incor- 
porated, 1646. The product of the 
cod and mackerel fishei-y in 1836, 
was $30,900. The value of salt, 
boots, shoes and palm-leaf hats man- 
ufactured, was $10,561. 

E^astliampton, Mass. 

Hampshire co. This is a pleas- 
ant town on the W. side of Connec- 
ticut river. The Hampshire and 
Hampden canal passes through it. 
In the year ending April 1, 1837, 
$40,000 worth of lasting buttons 
were manufactured ; also cotton 
goods, leather, boots and shoes, to 
the amount of $15,300: 5 miles S. 
from Northampton. Pop. 1837,793. 

East Hartford, Ct. 

Hartford co. This town is situa- 
ted opposite to Hartford, and con- 
nected with it by a bridge across 
Connecticut river. The soil of the 
town is generally fertile, but the 
alluvial meadows on the border of 
the river, of which there is a large 
tract, is of a superior quality. The 
agricultural products of this town 
are very considerable. Hackanum 
river furnishes the town with a 
good water power, on which are val- 
uable manufacturing establishments 
particularly of paper. East Hart- 
ford is noted for its manufactures in 
foi'iner years. The first powder 
mill in this country, it is said, was 
erected here in 1775. Anchors, 
mill screws, nail rods, gunpowder, 
paper, snuft" and glass were manu- 
factured here in 1784. The early 
settlers found the ferocious and war- 
like tribe of Podunk Indians in this 
neighborhood. One sachem com- 
manded two hundred bowmen. This 
is a very pleasant town. The main 
street, which is very long and wide, 
is delightfully shaded by stately 
elms. East Hartford was taken 
from Hartford in 1784. Popula- 
tion, 1830, 3,537. 

East Haven, Vt> 

Essex CO. Moose river rises Id 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



the easterly part of this town and 
the Passumpsic pa'sses through the 
westerly part. The l;ui(l is moun- 
tainous and most of it unlit for cul- 
tivation. It lies 45 miles N. fi-oni 
^lontpclier. First settled, 1790. 
Population, 1830, 33. 

East Haven, Ct. 

New Haven ro. This town was 
taken from New Haven, in 1783, and 
is connected with New Haven by 
a bridge. Population, 1S30, 1,229. 
It has good navioabie privileges, 
and is watered by Quinnipiac river. 
It has some trade, but the principal 
employment of the inhabitants is 
agriculture and lishing. 

This was a great resort for the 
Indians in former years. On Grave 
Hill was an Indian fort and ceme- 
tery. Bones of Indians of a large 
size, and domestic and warlike im- 
plements for savage use, have been 
found here. The Indian JVell, in a 
granite rock, on an island in Stony 
river, is a curiosity. It is about 30 
inches in diameter, very smooth at 
the bottom. It is now about 5 feet 
in depth, but formerly it was deep- 
er. It was evidently formed by 
the attrition of sand and pebbles 
which passed over this rock, it being 
at some former period, the bed of 
the river. East Haven is pleasant- 
ly located, and commands a tine 
prospect of Long Island Sound. 

Kast ICiiig^stoii, X. II. 

Rockingham co. Its soil is of an 
excellent quality, and well adapted 
to the cultivation of grain and grass. 
Powow river crosses the S. W. part 
of this town, iiaving its sources in 
the ponds of Kingston. The town 
was incorporated Nov. 17, 173S. 
Rev. Peter ColRn was settled here 
in 1739. Po])ulation, 1830, -142. It 
lies 40 miles S. E. by E. from Con- 
cord, and 20 S. S. W. from Ports- 
mouth. 

East Macliias, Me. 

Washington co. This is a flour- 



ishing town on navigable waters. 
It was incorporated in 1S26, and ia 
the eastern part of Old Machias. 
It lies on both .sides of East Machi- 
as river, 149 miles E. by N. from 
Augu'ita. Population, 1837, 1,282. 
East Machias has a great water 
{:\^vver, a large number of mills, and 
a very pleasant village. It is ex- 
tensively engaged in the lumber 
trade. 

Easton, Mass. 

Bristol CO. Two branches of Taun- 
ton river water this town, on which 
are a woolen and 4 cotton mills, 
and various iron works. The man- 
ufactures consist of cotton and wool- 
en goods, pig iron, iron castings, 
wire, boots, shoes, shovels, spades, 
forks, hoes, cutlery, palm-leaf hats, 
straw bonnets, surveyors' instru- 
ments and shoe pegs : — the value 
of which in one year (exclusive of 
woolen cloth, boots and shoes,) 
amounted to 207,100. The manu- 
facture of shovels, spades, forks and 
hoes, amounted to ,><(108,000. Eas- 
ton lies 22 miles S. from Boston and 
10 N. by W. from Taunton. In- 
corporated, 1725. Population, 1837, 
1,976. 

Eastport, Me. 

Washington co. The township 
of Eastport embraces and is consti- 
tuted of Moose, Dudley's, Frede- 
rick and Patmos islands, the chief 
of which, whereon the village of 
Eastport stands, is Moose island, in 
sight of, and but a short distance 
from, Indian and Campo Bello isl- 
ands, belonging to the British. East- 
port is a beautiful harbor in Passa- 
maquoddy bay, on tlie eastern boun- 
dary of the United States, and no- 
ted for smuggling adventures by 
strangers visiting the place dur- 
ing the embargo and war. It is 
about 7 miles N. by W. from West 
Quoddy Head, 176 E. by N. from 
Augusta, and about 30 E.N. E. from 
Machias. The tide is very rapid, 
and rises 25 feet. There are two 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



long bridges connecting Moose isl- 
and with Dennysville and Perry ; 
each cost Jf!l0,000. Eastport and 
Lubec are the chief towns in Pas- 
samaquoddy bay, and are extensive- 
ly eu<j;aijed in the fisheries, and the 
ti-ade of the extensive waters of tlie 
river St. Croix and Bay of Fund^. 
Tonnage of Passaniaquoddy Ixiy, 
10,712. Cohscouk Bay and its trib- 
utary waters, on the west, give to 
Eastport a large trade in lumber. 
Moose Island contains 2,150 acres 
of rough land. It was first settled 
in 1780. In 1790 it contained only 
244 inhabitants. There are now on 
the Island a handsome village, con- 
taining 60 wharves, 80 stores, 5 
meeting-houses, a United .States 
garrison, and 5,000 inhabitants. 

East Windsor, Ct. 

Hartford co. First settled 1680. 
Taken from Windsor, 176S. This 
is an excellent township of land. 
Its extensive meadows on the east 
side of Connecticut river are of 
uncommon fertility and beauty. 
Among tiie various agricultural pro- 
ducts with which this town aliounds, 
tobacco has been cultivated with 
success, and manufactured. It is 
said that 70,000 bushels of rye has 
been raised in a season. Scantic 
river, a considerable mill stream, 
passes through the north part of 
tlie town, and gives it the name of 
Scantic. The village of JVapping 
is in the S. E. section of the town. 
The principal street, about a mile 
back of the river, is the village, 
running the whole length of the 
town, wide, neatly built and beauti- 
fully shaded. Eiist Windsor lies 8 
miles N. from Hartford. Popula- 
tion, 1830, 2,129. 

Eatoii, N. II., 

Strafford co., lies 60 miles N. 
E. from Concord and 55 N. N. E. 
from Dover, and is bounded E. by 
Maine. Population, 1S30, 1,432. 
The soil of the uplands, which are 
quite uneven, is moderately good. 



and the plains furnish excellent 
pine timber. There are several 
small ponds in this town. Eaton 
was granted Nov. 7, 1776, to Clem- 
ent March and 65 others. 

Eddiugtoii, Me. 

Penobscot co. This town lies on 
the east side of Penobscot river, 6 
miles above, and N. N. E. from 
Bangor, ami 70 N. E. by E. from 
Augusta. The village is pleasantly 
situated at the " Bend " of the river. 
The soil of the town is good and well 
wooded. It produced, In 1837, 2,414 
bushels of wheat. Population, 1837, 
558. 

Eden, Me., 

Hancock co., situated on the north 
part of the island of Mount Desert, 
and taken from the town of Mount 
Desert (which formerly comprised 
the whole island) 1795. First set- 
tled, 1763. Eden lies 92 miles E. 
from Augusta, and about 18 S. by E. 
from Ellsworth. Population, 1837, 
1,024. The town has a good soil, 
good harbors, and possesses great 
advantages for the shore fishery. 
It is said that 500 bushels of cran- 
berries have been picked in Eden 
in a season. Cranberry isles lie 
on the coast, about 3 miles south. 

Eden, Vt. 

Lamoille co. This township was 
granted to " Col. Seth Warner and 
his associates, our worthy friends, 
the officers and soldiers of his regi- 
ment in the line of the continental 
army," August 28, 1781. "Our 
friends," for their patriotic services, 
certainly deserved a better town- 
ship than this, for it is mountainous, 
rocky and cold ; it is however good 
for grazing, and produces some fine 
beef cattle and sheep. It is water- 
ed by Green river and Wild Branch. 
Several ponds in the town afford 
good fishing. Eden lies 30 miles 
N. from Montpelier, and is bound- 
ed S. by Hydepark. Population, 
1830, 461. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



Edgartoxvu, Mass. 

Dukes CO. County town and 
port of entry on the island of Mar- 
tha's Vineyard — 91 miles S. E. from 
Boston, 20 N. W. by W. from Nan- 
tucket, 28 S. E. by E. from New 
Bedford, 20 S. from Falmouth, and 
493 from Washington. First set- 
tled, 1641. Incorporated, 1671. 
Population, 1837, 1,623. Ed^artown 
(Old Town) harbor is on the east 
side of the town, in hit. 41° 23' N.; 
Ion. 70° 25' W. This township in- 
cludes the fertile island of C'happe- 
quiddick, on the southeast, on which 
are some Indians. This island is 5 
miles in length and 2 1-2 in breadth. 
It is very pleasant and forms Old 
Town harbor. Eight whale ships 
belong to this place, and a number 
of coasting vessels. This is said to 
be the only place in the state where 
grouse are native. The value of 
sperm oil imported, in the year end- 
ing April 1, 1837, was $65,598. 
The value of salt, oil casks, boats 
and hats manufactured the same 
year, was ,*;7,260. The value of 
wool, the product of 2,150 sheep, 
was $1,590. 

Edgeconil), Me. 

Lincoln co. This town is bound- 
ed by Uamaiiscotta river on the E. 
and Sheepscot river on the W., and 
lies nearly opposite to Wiscasset 
across the latter river. 26 miles S. 
S. E. from August.-*. Population, 
1837, 1,282. This town enjoys 
great facilities for navigation, the 
fisheries, ship building and the lum- 
ber business. It is a place of con- 
eiderable trade. First settled, 1744. 

Ediuburgh, Me. 

Penobscot co. Incorporated, 1835. 
Population, 1837, 89. See " Down 
East." 

Edmonds, Me., 

Washington co., situated between 
Cobscook bay and East Machias. 



Population, 1837, 205. See " Down 
East." 

EffiugUam, N. II. 

Strafford co. There are several 
mountains of considerable elevation 
in this town. The Ossipee river 
passes through the town, over which 
is a toll-bridge. Province pond lies 
between Eflingham and Wakefield. 
ElHngham was settled a few years 
prior to the revolution. It was 
then known by the name of Lea- 
vitfs Town. Incorporated, Aug. 
18, 1773. Effingham borders W. 
on Ossipee lake and E. on Maine. 
It lies 58 miles N. E. from Concord 
and 25 N. E. by E. from Gilford. 
Population, 1830, 1,911. 

Egrcmont, Mass. 

Berkshire co. A mountainous 
township, watered by branches of 
Ilousatonick river. Incorporated, 
1760. 140 miles W. from Boston 
and 15 S. S. W. from Lenox. Pop- 
ulation, 1S37, 968. The manufac- 
tures of Egremont consist of wheat 
liour, leather, boots, shoes, harness- 
es, stone, (sawed,) chairs and cab- 
inet ware. Total amount in one 
year, $29,100. A'alue of 1,790 
fleeces of wool, $2,770. 

Elizal>etU,Cape, Me. 

This celebrated cape lies in th« 
town of Cape Elizabeth, and forms 
the Avestern limits of Casco bay. 
Near the point of the cape is a 
light-house, 50 feet in heiglit, in 
N. lat. 43° 33', W. Ion. 70° 11'. 
For the tovn of Cape Eliza- 
beth, see liegister. 

ElizabetU Islands, Mass. 

These islands are attached to 
Dukes county, and lie between 
Buzzard's bay and Vineyard sound- 
They are 16 in number. The larg- 
est, Nashawn and Nashawenna, are 
inhabited. Gosnold, the discoverer 
of Cape Cod, spent the winter of 
1602-3, on one of these islands. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



Bllington, Ct. 

Tolland CO. Ellington was taken 
from East Windsor in 1786, and was 
that part of East Windsor called the 
Great Marsh. The soil is light 
and dry, but considerably fertile. 
It is generally level, but the east- 
ern part is hilly and mountainous. 
Formerly the lands in this town 
were held in low estimation, but by 
the industry of the people in their 
cultivation they have risen in char- 
acter and value. " The scenery in 
this town embraces considerable va- 
riety and is uncommonly interesting 
and beautiful." The " Ellington 
School" for boys, situated in a very 
neat village, is in high rejuite. Pop- 
ulation, 1830, 1,455. Ellington lies 
12 miles N. E. from Hartford, and 
is bounded S. E. by Tolland. 

Elliot, Me. 

York CO. This town lies on fhe 
N. W. of Kittery of which it con- 
stituted a part until 1810. It ad- 
joins Salmon Fall river on the S. 
W. by which it is separated from 
New Hampshire — and is bounded 
N. by South Berwick, and E. by 
York. It is a good farming town 
and probably contains as great a 
proportion of valuable tillage land 
as any in the county according to 
its size. Population, 1837, 1,859. 
Elliot is lOS miles S. W. from Au- 
gusta. 

Elliots ville, Me. 

Somerset co. This place is 81 
miles from Augusta. See " Down 
East." 

Ellis' Rivers. 

Ellis' river, in Maine, \s a tribu- 
tary to the Androscoggin. It rises 
N. of Rumford, in the county of 
Oxford, and passes through that 
town. Ellis' river, in JVeiv Hamp- 
shire, rises on the E. side of the 
White mountains, in several small 
streams, near the sources of Pea- 
body river, and separating into two 



streams which again unite, it falls 
into the Saco at Bartlett. 

Elligo Poiid, Vt. 

This beautiful sheet of water, 
two miles in length and half a mile 
in breadth, lies partly in Craftsbury 
and partly in Greensborough, Or- 
leans county. Its northern outlet 
passes to Black river; its southern 
to the Lamoille. There are two 
small islands in the lake. This was 
a favorite resort for the Indians, and 
now attracts numerous lovers of fine 
trout and delightful scenery to its 
borders. 

EllsivortU, Me. 

Chief town of Hancock CO. This 
is a pleasant and flourishing town 
on lioth sides of Union river, at the 
head of navigation. The village is 
principally on the E. side, where 
there is a good bridge across the 
river, 3 miles above the entrance 
of the river into the waters con- 
nected with Blue Hill bay. The 
tide rises at the bridge 10 or 12 feet, 
and Ellsworth possesses an enviable 
position for maritime and inland 
trade. The location of the courts 
for this county was changed from 
Castine to this place in 1S3S. The 
court house is eligibly situated on 
the W. side of the river. Ellsworth 
is quite an agricultural township. 
It has a good soil, and considerable 
attention is given to the growth of 
wheat and wool. It lies 81 miles 
E. by N. from Augusta, and 30 N. 
E. by E. from Bangor. Population, 
1830, 1,385—1837, 2,195. 

Ellswortli, ]V. H., 

Grafton co., is 52 miles N. N.W. 
from Concord and 20 S. E. from 
Haverhill. Population, 1830, 234. 
It is a mountainous tract of territo- 
ry. The most prominent elevation 
is Carr's mountain. A small stream 
issues from West Branch pond and 
runs into the Pemigewasset at 
Campton. The soil, though in some 
parts sterile, produces wheat, rye 



NEAV ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



and corn. Maple sugar is made 
here, and clover seed is raised in 
considerable quantities. This town, 
formerly called Trecoihick, was 
granted May 1, 1769, to Barlow 
Trecotliick. 

Elmore, Vt. 

Lamoille co. First settled, 1790. 
Elmore lies Ki miles N. from Mont- 
pelier and 10 S. from Hydepark. 
Population, 1830, 442. There are 
five ponds in this town, the waters 
of which, the town being very high, 
descend partly to Lamoille and part- 
ly to Onion rivers. Some cattle and 
some wool are sent to market. 

Einbden, Itlc. 

Somerset co. A fine township 
of land with two pleasant villages, 
on the W. side of Kennebec river. 
Seven Mile brook passes through 
the S. W. corner of the town. — 
Embden produced, in 1S37, 6,400 
bushels of wheat and considerable 
wool. Incorporated, 1804. Popu- 
lation, 1S37, 1,048. It is 46 miles 
N. N. W. from Augusta and about 
18 miles N. by W. from Norridge- 
wock. 

Eufield, Me. 

Penobscot co. Incorporated, 
1S35. See " Down East." 

£nneia, ]V. H. 

Grafton co. Enfield comprises 
24,060 acres, of which about 2,500 
acres are water. It is 10 miles S. 
E. from Dartmouth College and 40 
N. W. from Concord. Its surface 
is diversified with hills and valleys, 
and watered by a variety of ponds 
and streams, stored with fish of ev- 
ery species common to tlie country. 
Mascomy pond, which has acquir- 
ed from travellers the appellation 
of Pleasant pond, is a beautiful col- 
lection of water, 4 miles in length 
and of various breadth, interspersed 
with islands and checkered with 
inlets. Its eastern banks are cov- 
ered with trees; the hills gradually 



rise one above another for some dis- 
tance. Along the western bank, 
between the pond and Mont Calm, 
within a few I'ods of the water, ex- 
tends the turnpike road, the whole 
distance through a beautiful vil- 
lage, shaded to the N. on either 
side by a growth of trees. Masco- 
my river empties into this pond in 
the N. W. part. This pond is sup- 
posed to have once been much high- 
er than it now is, and the plain and 
villages to the south arc siipj)oscd 
to have been the bed of it. This 
fact is sufficiently evident from tlie 
ancient shore still remaining round 
the pond, about 30 feet above high 
water, and from logs having been 
frequently found 12 feet below the 
surface of the plain once flowed. 
On the W. bank, near the soutliern 
extremity, is the Shakers' settle- 
ment, situated on a feitile plain. — 
The structure of the buildings, tho' 
not lofty, are neat and convenient. 
They occupy about 1,000 acres of 
land, and their number consists of 
about 240. They are agricultural- 
ists and mechanics. Garden seeds 
are grown, and wooden ware, whips, 
corn brooms, leather, and various 
other articles, are manufactured by 
them with peculiar neatness. See 
Canterbury. 

Mountain pond, on the summit of 
Mont Calm, is 200 rods long, and 
100 wide. At the outlets of the 
ponds are mills of various kinds. 
The town was foruicrlj^ called Rel- 
han, and was incorporated by char- 
ter, granted to Jedediah Dana and 
otheis, Julv 4th, 1761. Population, 
1830, 1,492. 

Knfield, Mass. 

Hampshire co. Swift river pass- 
es through this town, and adds much 
to its beauty and importance. — 
The manufactures of this place, the 
year ending April 1, 1837, amount- 
ed to $182^669. The articles con- 
sisted of cotton and woolen goods, 
leather, boots, shoes, liats, hoes, 
shingle machines, palm-leaf hats. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



wool cards, cotton batting and wick- 
ing. The value of wool grown 
was $1,090. Enfield lies 71 miles 
W. from Boston, and 15 E. from 
Northampton. Popnlation, 1837, 
1,058. 

Eniiclil, Ct. 

Hartford co. This town was first 
settled, 1681, by emigrants fiom Sa- 
lem, Mass. : it formerly belonged 
to Mass. and was a part of Spring- 
field. The first biidge across Con- 
necticut river was built in 1808, 
connecting Enfield M'ith Suifield. 
The surface is generally level and 
the soil moist and fertile. The 
street, where most of the inhabit- 
ants reside, is very pleasant, wide 
and well shaded. The village near 
the river was commenced about 
1831, at which the manufacture of 
carpeting is extensively pursued. 
About 120 looms are employed, 
making about 800 yards daily. The 
manufacture of ploughs is also an 
important pursuit in Enfield. It is 
watered by Scantick river. Pop- 
ulation, 1830, 2,12.9. It is 18 miles 
N. from Hartford, and 8 S. from 
Springfield, Mass. 

Iilnglisliniaii's Bay, Me. 

This bay is a few miles W. of 
Machias bay, in Washington coun- 
ty. It receives the waters of Chand- 
lers river, a considerable stream : 
it contains a number of islands, and 
furnishes many fine harbors Head 
harbor, an island off Jonesborough, 
is its western limits. 

Eiiosburgli, Vt. 

Franklin co. Missisque, Tiout 
and other sti-cams give this town 
excellent water privileges, and 
manufacturing establishments flour- 
ish. The surface of the town is 
pleasantly diversified by hills and 
valleys, and well adapted for graz- 
ing. The products of the town are 
cattle, butter, cheese and wool. — 
First settled, 1797. Population, 
1830, 1,560. Eiiosburgh lies 43 



miles N. by E. from Montpelier, 
and 20 N. E. from St. Albans. 

Eppiiig, N. H., 

Rockingham co., lies 29 miles S. 
E. from Concord, 20 VV. from Ports- 
mouth, and 8 N. W. from E^xeter. 
It was formerlj' a part of Exeter, 
and was incorporated Feb. 12, 1741. 
The town contains 12,760 acres, 
being nearly 20 square miles. The 
soil, in general, is very good, and 
well suited to raise the various pro- 
ductions that grow in the state. 
Lamprey river, at the west, receives 
the Patuckaway, and runs through 
the whole length of the town. 
Another river runs through the N. 
part of the town, and from that cir- 
cumstance is called Noith river. 
By observations taken at 6 in the 
forenoon, at 1 and 9 o'clock in the 
alternoon, from Fahrenheit's ther- 
mometer placed in the open air, 13 
feet Irom the ground, and where 
the sun does not shine on the ther- 
mometer, the annual average of 
heat for 10 years in succession, was 
44 1-12°. During that period the 
annual average of I'ain that fell, was 
2 feet 10 inches, and of snow,C feet 
7 inches. 

William Ph^mee, one of its 
most distinguished and estimable 
citizens, resides in this town. A 
considerable portion of his life has 
been employed in the service of the 
people, in the several stations of 
representative and senator in the 
legislature, president of the senate, 
speaker of tbe house of representa- 
tives, representative and senator in 
congress, and for four years as chief- 
magistrate of the state. Popula- 
tion, 1830, 1,268. 

Epsom, Jf. H. 

Merrimack co. This town lies 
12 miles E. from Concord. Popu- 
lation, 1830, 1,418. The surface of 
the town is generally uneven. The 
pi'incipal eminences are called 
M'Coy's, Fort, Nat's, and Notting- 
ham :nountains. The soil is in treu- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



cral good, and well adapted for graz- 
ing or grain. Great and Little Sun- 
cook arc the only streams deserving 
the name of rivers. Here arc three 
ponds, Chesnut, Round, and Odi- 
ornc's. Brown oxide, and suiptui- 
ret of iron are found, the lattermost 
frequently in its decomposed state. 
Varieties of quart/., feldspar and 
schorl are also found. An alluvial 
deposite has been liiscovorcd, which 
has been ascertained to lie terra de 
senna; it constitutes a very hand- 
some and durable paint for cabinet 
work. Epsom was granted May 
18, 1727, to Theodore Atkinson and 
others. Like all other frontier 
towns, Ep-;om was expound, in its 
early settlement to the Indians. 

Maj. Andrew M'CLAKY,ana- 
tive of this town, fell at the battle 
of Breed's Hill, June 17, 1775. 
Like the iilusti-ious Roman, he left 
his plough on the news of the mas- 
sacre at Lexiri2:ton, and in the ac- 
tion when he lost his life displayed 
great coolness and bravery. 

JBrrol, N. H. 

Coos CO. This town is situated 
on the W. of Umbagog lake. It 
contains about .35,000 acres, of which 
2,.'i00 are water. Several consider- 
able streams here unite with the 
Androscoggin. Errol was granted 
Feb. 28, 1774, to Timothy Rnggles 
and others. Population, 1S30, 82. 
It lies about 30 miles N. N. E. from 
Lancaster. 

Erviiig, Mass. 

Franklin co. This township re- 
mained unincorporated until April 
17, 18.38. Previously it had been 
known by the name of " Erving's 
<irant." It is bounded S. by Mil- 
ler's and W. by Connecticut rivers. 
Erving contains some excellent 
land, and a great water power. The 
year previous to its incorporation, 
the manufactures of the town, con- 
fisting of satinet, boots, shoes, palm- 
leaf hats, &c., amounted to !j;3.5,- 
1S5. Population, 1837, 292. Er- 
!'> 



ving lies 95 miles N. N. W. from 
Boston, and 10 E. from Greenfield. 

Essex County, Vt. 

Guildhall is the county town. 
This county is bounded N. by Low- 
er Canada, W. by the counties of 
Orleans and Caledonia, and S. and 
E. by Connecticut river. Area 
6'SO square miles. This is consid- 
ered the poorest county in the state ;, 
but although much of the land \s 
hilly and mountainous, there is con- 
siderable good soil, and a large por- 
tion of it is well adapted for giazing. 
There were, in 1836, about S.OOO 
sheep in the county, and a consid- 
erable number af beef cattle and 
horses were sent to market. The 
principal streams are the Nulhegan, 
which is exclusively in Essex coun- 
ty ; — the Passumpsic, Moose and 
Clyde. Incorporated, 1792. Pop- 
ulation, 1820,3,334; 1830,3,981. 
About 6 inhabitants to a square 
mile. 

Ksscx Count}', Mass. 

Salem, Ipsivich, and A^ewhury- 
port are the shire towns. This 
county is bounded N. W. by Rock- 
ingham county. New Hampshire, 
S. W. by Middlesex county, E. and 
N. E. by the Atlantic ocean, and 
vS. E. by Massachusetts bay. There 
is much good land in this county, 
but its surface is rocky and uneven. 
It has an extensive sea coast, in- 
dented with numerous bays, inlets, 
and capacious harbors. It is more 
densely populated than any county 
of its size in the United States. It 
has great wealth, and its commerce 
and fisheries are unrivalled by any 
section of country, of its extent, on 
the globe. Population, 1820, 73,930; 
1830,82,887, and in 18.37, 93,689. 
This county comprises an area of 
3fi0 square miles ; — the number of 
inhabitants to a square mile is 260. 
Essex county, although of stubborn 
soil, has many very delightful farina, 
and furnishes great quantities of 
hay and vegetables for market. It 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



has many beautiful ponds and com- 
manding elevations, and its sea- 
board is the delight of every be- 
holder. However fruitful the cit- 
izens may have rendei'ed the soil 
by their industry, this county is es- 
sentially a commercial and manu- 
facturing section of New England. 
The tonnage of the five districts, in 
1837, was 85,933 tons. The amount 
of manufactures, for the j^ear end- 
ing April 1, 1837, was .•$10,21o,3()0 ; 
and the amount of the whale, cod 
and mackerel fisheries, amounted 
to $1,378,144. The principal riv- 
ers in Essex county are the Merri- 
mack and Shawshecn. Es'^ex coun- 
ty was incorporated in 1(>43, and has 
given birth to some of the most dis- 
tinouished merchants in the United 
States. Among many others may 
be mentioned William Gray, 
Israel Thorndike, and Wil- 
liam Parsons. 

Essex, Vt. 

Chittenden co. This town is fine- 
ly watered by Onion river on the 
S. and Brown's river, a branch of 
the Lamoille, on the N. it is also 
watered by other smaller streams. 
At Hubbell's falls, on Onion river, 
are admirable mill sites, at which 
are manufactures of some extent. 
The surface of the town is level ; 
a considerable portion of the soil is 
tiry and somewhat sandy, but pro- 
duces good crops of corn and rye. 
Along Onion river are some tracts 
of beautiful intervale. Essex was 
first settled in 1 783. It lies 31 miles 
N. W. from Montpe'ier, and 8 N. 
N. E. from Burlington. Popula- 
tion, 1830, l,6f>4. 

Essex, IflasSk 

Essex CO. This town lies at the 
head of Cliebacco river, runnino; in- 
to Squam bay, 13 miles N. E. from 
Boston, and 5 miles S. il. frem Ips- 
wich, from which it was taken in 
1819. Many vessels of 50 to 120 
Ions are built in this town, and ma- 
ny small vessels are employed in the 



coasting trade and the fisheries. — 
The manufactures of vessels, leath- 
er, boots, shoes, bar iron, barrels, 
coidage, pumps and blocks, in the 
year endinp; April 1, 1837, amount- 
ed to ifil()2,271. The tonnage em- 
ployed in the cod and mackerel fish- 
ery was 878 tons. Population, 1837, 
1,402. Essex is a pleasant and 
flourishing town. 

Etna, Me. 

Penobscot co. This is an excel 
lent farming town with no import- 
ant streams. It lies 63 miles N. E. 
from Augusta, 17 W. from Bangor, 
and bounded by Dixmont on the 
S. Incorporated, 1820. Popula- 
tion, 1830, .362—1837, 626. Etna 
is fine wheat land : it produced, in 
1837, 2,421 bushels. 

Eictcr, J^Ie. 

Penobscot co. Exeter is 65 miles 
N. N. E.from Augusta, and 25 S.W. 
from Bangor. It was incorporated in 
1811. Population, 1830, 1,438— 
1837, 1,920. At the "Four Cor- 
ners," in the noi-therly part of the 
town, is a pleasant village with con- 
siderable trade and some mills. The 
people of Exeter in 1837, with a 
soil not above mediocrity, proved 
without effort, by raising 12,053 
bushels of wheat, that the state of 
Maine is abundantly able, by means 
within itself, to supply the whole 
family of Yankees with bread stuffs, 
and have some to spare to their 
western brethren. 

Exeter, ]V. H. 

Rockingham co. This beautiful 
town lies 40 miles S. E. by E. from 
Concord and 14 S. W. from Ports- 
mouth. The compact part of the 
town lies about the falls, which sep- 
arate the fresh from the tide water 
of a bi-anch of the Piscataqua, call- 
ed by the natives Swamscot, and 
now known by the name of Exeter 
river. Above the falls this stream 
assumes the name of Great river, 
to distinguish it from one of ita 



NEW ENULAM) GAZETTEER. 



smaller branches, called Little riv- 
er. Great river has its source in 
Chester, whence it runs through 
several towns before it meets the 
tide water in the centre of Exeter. 
On this river are many valuable 
mill privileges. 

The Exeter Cotton Manufactur- 
ing Company commenced opera- 
tions A|)ril 1, 1S30. Their princi- 
pal building is of brick, 175 feet by 
45. They liave 5,000 spindles, em- 
ploy 212 girls and 40 men and boys. 
They manufacture annually about 
1,400,000 yards of sheeting. They 
consume about 1,200 bales of cot- 
ton, 300 cords of wood and 22,500 
pounds of potatoe starch annually. 
They have a steam engine, 40 horse 
power, to operate when the water 
power fails. This probably con- 
sumes annually aliout 150 cbaldrons 
of Sidney coal. The capital invest- 
ed in lands, buildings, machinery, 
&c. is about $210,000. 

A powder mill has been in ope- 
ration about two years, and will 
manufactuie from 130 to 150 tons 
of powder annually. 

The manufacture of potatoe starch 
was commenced in 1S24. The es- 
tablishment has been twice burnt, 
but is rebuilt with brick, and starch 
is now manufactured from wheat as 
well as from potatoes. The amount 
of sales of starch and gum is about 
^10,000 annually. 

In the westerly part of the town 
is a paper mill, which manufactures 
l)aper to the value of ,^20,000 an- 
nually. The manufacture of hooks, 
blank books, &c. in Exeter, is very 
extensive. About ,<;100,000 value 
of shoes and boots are made annu- 
ally, and a large amount of leather. 
There are also establishments fo-i- 
the manufacture of morocco leath- 
er, carriages, of various kinds, 
brushes, tin and pottery wares. 
The soil of Exeter is in general 
good, though comprehending every 
variety, from that of the best quali- 
ty to the least productive. Like 
most towns in the state, it is essen- 



tially agricultural, and the improve- 
ment in the style of husbandry 
has been very great. The number 
of industrious and enterprising me- 
chanics, to whom Exeter is indebt- 
ed for her prosperity, is very rapid- 
ly increasing. See Res;iste7'. 

Philli])s' academy, in Exeter, was 
founded by the liberal donations of 
John Phillips, LL. D.,in 1781, who 
at his death, in 1795, bequeathed to 
the institution a large portion of his 
estate. 

Benjamik- Abbott, LL. D. 
has discharged the duties of priuci- 
l)al with distinguished ability for 
nmre than fifty years. The build- 
ing stands on a plain, near the cen- 
tre of the town, and is well provid- 
ed with accommodations for the 
different branches of instruction, 
and a large hall for declamation and 
the annual exhibitions. 

The settlement of Exeter com- 
menced in 1638, by John Wheel- 
wright and others, who formed them- 
selves into a body politic, chose their 
magistrates, and bound the people to 
obedience. Their laws were made 
in popular assemblies ; and the com- 
bination thus entered into subsisted 
about three years. From 1675 to 
1712, Exeter, like most of the early 
settlements, suffered from the at- 
tacks of the Indians. 

Hon. Samuel Tenney, M. D. 
was an original member of the N. 
II. Medical Society, its vice pre- 
sident several years, and a mem- 
ber of congress in 1800 and 1804. 

Gen. Nathaniel, Peabody 
was an original member of the N. 
H. medical society; was a member 
of the old congress; a senator of 
the N. H. legislature in 1792 ; and 
speaker of the house in 1793. 

Hon. Nicholas Gilman was 
a member of the old congress, and 
a senator in congress from 1S05 to 
his death in 1814. 

Gen. N.\THANiEL FoLsoM was 
a memi)er of the old congress, and 
a valuable revolutionary officer. 

Hon. Jeremi.^h Smith, a na- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



live of Peterborough, was one of 
the first representatives to congress 
under the Federal government, was 
appointed Judge of S. C. of N. H. 
in 1802, was chief justice, and con- 
tinued such till 1809, when he was 
elected governor. He was appoint- 
ed chief justice of S. J. C. in 1813. 

Hon. JoHiv Taylor Gilmaiv, 
a descendant of one of the princi- 
pal settlers at Exeter, was an active 
supporter of the revolution ; a mem- 
ber of the old congress; filled at 
times the offices of representative 
and state treasurer; and for four- 
teen years, between 1794 and 1816, 
was governor of the state. 

Exeter has at all periods of its 
history possessed eminent and use- 
ful men ; and some of the first law- 
yers and jurists, antiquarians and 
scholars, have received their early 
education at its litei-ary institution. 
Population, 1830, 2,759. 

Kxeter, R. I. 

Washington co. This is an agri- 
cultural and manufacturing town, 
situated 24 miles S. W. from Provi- 
dence, and from its centre about 10 
miles N. W. from South Kingston. 
The town is very large, being 12 by 
5 miles. The surface is much di- 
versified by hills and valleys; the 
Hoil is a gravelly loam, and very 
productive of all the varieties com- 
mon to the climate. The products 
of the dairy are considerable. — 
Branches of Wood river give this 
town a good water power, which 
IS well improved by cotton mills and 
other manufactories. Exeter was 
incorporated in 1743. Population, 
1830, 2,3S3. 

Fairfax, Vt. 

Franklin co. Bounded S. by La- 
moille river: 37 miles N. W. from 
Montpelier, and 12 S. E. from St. 
Albans. First settled, 1763. Pop- 
ulation, 1830, 1,729. By Parme- 
lee's and Stone's brooks. Brown's 
river, and the Lamoille, this town 
enjoys a good water power. The 



falls on Lamoille river, at this place, 
are singular and worthy of the tra- 
veller's notice. The land is gene- 
rally level and of a good quality. 
A considerable amount of agricul- 
tural products is sent to market, and 
about 6,000 sheep are reared. There 
are some manufactures at the falls. 
Fairfax is a place of considerable 
business. 

Fairfield, Me. 

Somerset co. This beautiful town- 
ship is located on the W. side of 
Kennebec river, and S. of Bloom- 
field. Fairfield is the most south- 
ern township in the county. It is 
watered by a small stream running 
into tiie Kennebec, and by a branch 
of Waterville river. This town is 
favored with a fine soil, and naviga- 
ble privileges to Augusta. It has 
a pleasant village, considerable 
trade, and, in 1837, produced 11,- 
531 bushels of wheat, and a large 
quantity of wool. Population, 1837, 
2,203. Distant from Augusta, 26 
miles N., and from Norridgewock, 
10 S. E. Incorporated, 178S. 

Fairiielil, Vt. 

Franklin co. This town was first 
settled in 1789. It is well watered 
by Smithtield pond, Fairfield river, 
Black creek, and branches of Mis- 
sisque river, and abounds in mill 
sites. Fairfield has a good strong 
soil and generally suitable for cul- 
tivation. It is a pleasant place, with 
some trade and considerable manu- 
factures. It produces good beef 
cattle and horses, and pastures about 
7,000 sheep. Population, 18.30, 2,- 
270. Fairfield lies 45 miles N. W. 
from Montpelier, 27 N. N. E. from 
Burlington, and is bounded W. by 
St. Albans. 

Fairfield Coiiiitj', Ct. 

Fairfield and Danhiiry are the 
shire towns. This county is bound- 
ed N. by Litchfield county, N. E. 
and E. by Housatonick river, S. E. 
and S. by Long Island Sound, and 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



W. by the state of New York. This 
is a tine farming section of coun- 
try, ao'reeably diversilied in regard 
to surface, with a strong fertile soil, 
and possesses great natural agricul- 
tural resources. Fairfield county 
extends nearly 40 miles en Long 
Island Sound, and enjoys great fa- 
cilities for navigation and the fish- 
eries. The beautiful Housatonick 
washes its nortlicastcrn boundary, 
and the Saugatuck, Norwalk, Mill, 
Pequonuck and other rivers afford 
it an araple water power. The man- 
ufacturing interests of the county 
are valuable and increasing. It 
contains many villages of superior 
beauty, and abounds in scenery of 
an interesting character. First set- 
tled, Ifi-Sy. Area, 630 square miles. 
Population, 1820, 42,739; 1830, 
46,950 ; 75 inhabitants to a square 
mile. In 1837 there were in this 
county about 22,000 sheep. 

Fairfield, Ct. 

Shire town, Fairfield co. This 
ancient and patriotic town compris- 
es three parishes, Fairfield, the 
seat of Justice, Green's Farms and 
Greenfield. Fairfield lies 21 miles 
S. W. from New Haven, and 58 N. 
E. from New York. Population, 
1^30, 4,246. Its Indian name was 
Unquowa. The surface of the 
town is undulating and very plea- 
sant. The soil is fertile, well cul- 
tivated and productive of wheat and 
rye, and a great variety of fruits 
and vegetables for New York mar- 
ket. Black Rock harbor is safe and 
easy of entrance for vessels draw- 
ing 19 feet of water at common tides. 
The tide usually rises in Long Isl- 
and Sound about 5 feet. There is 
but little water power in Fairfield, 
except that produced by the tide. 
The tonnage of Fairfield district, 
in 1837, was 11,988 tons. The prin- 
cipal business in navigation is the 
coasting trade. 

In the year lfi37, the tract of 
country which now forms the town 
of Fairfield was discovered by cap- 
12* 



tain Mason and the troops of Mas- 
sachusetts and Connecticut under 
his command, when they pursued 
the Pequots to the swamp in this 
town, bearing the name of " Pequot 
Swamp." This is the spot made 
memorable by the great fight that 
took place there, between those 
troops and the Pequots, terminating 
in the almost entire destruction of 
that once powerful and warlike na- 
tion of savages. Tliere are no In- 
dian marks left by which this 
swamp can be traced as the place 
of their extermination, except a 
mound of earth in the centre of it, 
considered as a place of safety, evi- 
dently the effect of art, with a rais- 
ed foot path leading from it to the 
surrounding high grounds. In that 
expedition this region attracted the 
notice of adventurers. In the year 
1639 a few families removed hither 
from Windsor, commenced a settle- 
ment, and, in a short period after- 
wards, were joined by several per- 
sons from Watcrtown and Concord, 
Mass. After Connecticut obtained 
her charter, the general assembly 
granted these people a patent, then 
including the towns now Reading 
and Weston. 

Fairfield is distinguished for its 
ardent attachment to American lib- 
erty, and for its sacrifices during the 
contest for independence. In 1779, 
when Tryon, a British governor, de- 
manded a surrender of the town, 
uniler a threat of its destruction, 
the answer of the inhabitants was, 
" We will never voluntarily lay 
down our arms till we have obtained 
tlie object for which they have been 
taken up. The village is in your 
power; plunder and burn it if you 
will, and take along with your plun- 
der the infamy of which it cannot 
be divested." 

" On the 7th July, 1779, gover- 
ernor Tryon, with a large and 
vengeful army, sailed from New 
Haven to Fairfield ; and the ne.xt 
morning disembarked upon tho 
beach. A few militia assembled to 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



oppose them ; and, in a desultory, 
scattered manner, fought with great 
intrepidity through most of the day. 
They killed some ; took several pri- 
soners ; and wounded more. But 
the expedition was so sudden and 
unexpected, that the efibrts, made 
in this manner, were necessarily 
fruitless. The town was plunder- 
ed ; a great part of the houses, to- 
gether with the two churches, tlie 
court house, jail, and school houses, 
were burnt. The barns had been 
just filled with wheat, and other 
produce. The inhabitants, there- 
fore, were turned out into the world, 
almost literally destitute. 

" While the town was in flames, 
a thunder storm overspread the hea- 
vens, just as night came on. The 
conflagration of near two hundred 
houses illumined the earth, the 
skirts of the clouds, and the waves 
of the Sound, with an union of 
gloom and grandeur, at once inex- 
pressibly awful and magnificent. 
The sky speedily was hung with 
the deepest darkness, wherever the 
clouds were not tinged by the mel- 
ancholy lustre of the flames. At 
intervals the lightnings blazed with 
a livid and terrible splendor. The 
thunder rolled above. Beneath, 
the roaring of the fires filled up the 
intervals with a deep and hollow 
sound, which seemed to be the pro- 
tracted murmur of the thunder, re- 
verberated from one end of heaven 
to the other. Add to this convul- 
sion of the elements, and these 
dreadful effects of vindictive and 
wanton devastation, the trembling 
of the earth ; the sharp sound of 
muskets, occasionally discharged; 
the groans, here and there, of the 
wounded and dying ; and the shouts 
of triumph: then place before your 
eyes crowds of the miserable suf- 
ferers, mingled with bodies of the 
militia, and from the neighboring 
hills taking a farewell prospect of 
their property and their dwellings, 
their happiness and their hopes; 
and you will form a just but imper- 



fect picture of the burning of Fair- 
field. It needed no great eflbrt of 
imagination to believe that the final 
day had arrived ; and that amid 
this funeral darkness, the morning 
would speedily dawn, to which no 
night would ever succeed; the 
graves yield up their inhabitants ; 
and the trial commence, at which 
was to be finally settled the destiny 
of man. 

" The next morning the troops 
re-embarked ; and, proceeding to 
Green's Farms, set fire to the 
church, and consumed it ; together 
with fifteen dwelling houses, elev- 
en barns, and several stores." 

Fairliaven, Vt. 

Rutland co. First settled, 1779. 
Population, 1830, 675. The soil is 
generally productive, particularly 
along the banks of the streams. It 
is watered by Castleton and Poult- 
ney rivers, the former of which re- 
ceives the waters of lake Bomba- 
zine, a large pond between Fair- 
haven and Castleton. On these 
streams are considerable falls, and 
mill sites. Fairhaven lies 16 miles 
W. from Rutland, and 9 N. E. from 
Whitehall, N. Y. 

Fairha-ven, Mass. 

Bristol CO. This pleasant town 
was taken from New Bedford, in 
1812. It lies across Acushnett 
river, about a mile east of New 
Bedford. It is united to New Bod- 
ford by a bridge 3,960 feet in length, 
and is associated with it in many of 
its enterprises. First settled, 1764. 
Population, 1830, 3,034; 1837, 
3,649. There are 37 vessels be- 
longing to this place engaged in 
the whale fishery, the tonnage of 
whicli is 11,564 tons. The value 
of whale oil and bone imported in- 
to this place the year ending April 
1, 1837, was $322,272. The num- 
ber of hands employed in the fish- 
ery was 945. Capital invested, 
,$957,000. The Acushnett produ- 
ces some water povver.on which are 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



two cotton mills, a paper mill, and 
other operations by water. The 
value of cotton goods, leather, boots, 
shoes, tin ware, vessels, salt, wood- 
en ware, chairs and cabinet ware 
nianui'actured,amoiuited to $40,3(j3. 

Fairlee, Vt. 

Orange co. A rough and moun- 
tainous township, with very little 
productive land, on the west side of 
Connecticut river, and connected 
with Orford, N. H. by a bridge 
across that river. First settled, 
17G8. Population, 1830, 656. This 
town lies about 17 miles E. S. E. 
from Chelsea, and ol S. E. from 
Montpelier. 

Fairlee pond is two miles in length 
and about three fourths of a mile 
wide. It formerly had no fish. 
Some years ago a gentleman placed 
some pickerel in it, and the legisla- 
ture passed a law protecting the 
lish from molestation for two years. 
Since that time the pond has had 
an abundance of pickerel of good 
size and quality. 

Fall River, Zllass. 

Bristol CO. This town took the 
name of Troy, in 1803. It was for- 
merly a part of Freetown. In 1834, 
the name was changed to that of 
the river within its borders, at the 
union of which and Taunton river 
the town is very pleasantly situa- 
ted. This town is without a paral- 
lel on the continent of America, in 
regard to the union of hydraulic 
powers and navigable facilities. 
Fall river rises in Wattuppa ponds ; 
one of which is 11 miles in length 
and 1 in breadth. These ponds arc 
produced by perpetual springs, and 
lie about two miles east of the town. 
The descent of this river is 136 
feet. The volume of water is con- 
stant, not liable to excess, and of 
sullicient power for the largest man- 
ufactories. 

The harbor on Taunton river is 
safe and easy of access, and of suf- 
ficient depth of water for the larg- 



est ships. Six ships from this port 
arc engaged in the whale fishery. 
It has also some merchant and coast- 
ing vessels. A marine rail-way was 
constructed here in 1834. 

This town has an abundance of 
fine granite, equal to the Quincy. 
A rail-road is in progress to meet the 
Boston and Providence, at Scekonk, 
13 miles. 

The Pocasset Hotel, belonging 
to a company of gentlemen, is a 
splendid building, constructed in 
1833. No house in the country af- 
fords better accommodations. A 
regular steamboat line is establish- 
ed between this place and Provi- 
dence: — distance, by water, 28 
miles. 

The value of the manufactures 
of Fall River for the year ending 
April 1, 1837, amounted to $2,863,- 
378, exclusive of large manufac- 
tures of machinery, iron hoops and 
rods, stoves, brass, copper, and tin 
wares. The ten cotton mills pro- 
duced 7,767,614 yards of cloth, val- 
ued at $668,028. The woolen mill 
produced 150,000 yards of cloth, 
valued at $180,000. The other ar- 
ticles manufactured consisted of 
leather, boots, shoes, iron castings, 
hats, nails, chairs, cabinet ware 
and vessels. The two print works 
printed twelve million yards of cal- 
ico. The number of hands em- 
ployed in all the factories was 1,819. 
The product of the whale fishery, 
the same year, was $68,700. Hands 
employed in the fishery, 120. 

Fall River lies 49 miles S. from 
Boston, 17 S. from Taunton, 14 W. 
from New Bedford, IS S. E. from 
Providence, R. I. and 190 E. from 
New York. Population, in 1820, 
1,594 ; 1830, 4,159 ; 1837, 6,352.— 
The surface of Fall River is eleva- 
ted, rough and uneven, and consid- 
ered a healthy location for a manu- 
facturing town. 

Falmonth, Me. 

Cumberland CO. This is a pleas- 
ant town at the head of Casco bay, 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



6 miles N. from Portland, and 47 S. 
W. from Augusta. It is watered 
by Presumscut river, and has a num- 
ber of vessels eniployeil in coasting 
and fishino;. The soil on the whole 
coast of Maine is not so fertile as in 
the interior parts of the slate, yet 
Falmouth comprises a considerable 
quantity of good land. The town 
was incorporated as early as 1718, 
and included the territory of the 
city of Portland until 178b". Pop- 
ulation, 1837, 2,0()8. 

Faljiioiitli, Mass. 

Barnstable co. A pleasant town on 
Vineyard Sound. There are belong- 
ing to this town 9 whale-ships, and 
about 40 sail in the coasting trade and 
fishery. Two streams aflbrd a wa- 
ter power, on which are two wool- 
en mills and other manufactories. 
There are about 40 ponds in this 
town, some salt and some fresh : — 
these, with the views of the islands 
in the Sound, form a variety of 
agreeable scenery. "Wood's Hole" 
harbor, at the S. W. extremity of 
the town, is a good harbor and 
much frequented by vessels, and by 
invalids in search of health. The 
value of oil imported into Falmouth, 
the year ending April 1, 1837, 
amounted to $146,600. The value 
of vessels, salt, woolen goods, boots, 
shoes and leather, manufactured the 
same yeai-, was $.58,657. Falmouth 
lies 71 miles S. E. by E. from Bos- 
ton, and 22 S. W. from Barnstable. 
" Woods' Hole " is 4 miles W. from 
the centre of the town ; and 
" Holmes' Hole" harbor, on Mar- 
tha's Vineyard, is 6 miles S. I*op- 
ulation, 1837, 2,580. Incorporated, 
1686. 

Farmiiigton, Mc. 

County town of Franklin CO. This 
very beautiful town lies 29 miles 
N. W. from Augusta, and is water- 
ed by Sandy and Little Norridge- 
wock rivers. At the union of these 
rivers are excellent mill privileges, 
and a delightful village, the seat 



of justice. Farther up the Sandy, 
about 5 miles, is another beautiful 
village, the seat of a flourishing 
academy. The soil of Farmington 
being of a superior quality, the 
inhabitants are induced to devote 
much attention to agricultural pur- 
suits ; yet it is a place of some man- 
ufactures, and considerable trade in 
lumber and other merchandize. 
The agricultural products of Farm- 
ington are various and valuable, 
lu 1337 it produced 12,406 bushels 
of as good wheat as ever grew on 
the banks of the Ohio. Incorporat- 
ed, 1794. Population, 1837, 2,507. 

Farmington, N. H., 

Strafford co., was formerly a part 
of Rochester, but was incorporated 
a? a distinct town, Dec. 1, 1798. 
It lies 36 miles E. N. E. from Con- 
cord, and 17 N. W. by N. from 
Dover. The Cocheco meanders 
tiu-ough the N. E. part of the town. 
The Blue hills or Fi-ost mountains 
extend nearly through the town 
under dilTerent names. From the 
summit of the ridge in the S. E. 
part, ships may be seen by the na- 
ked eye off Portsmouth harbor ; 
while to the N. and W. the White 
Hills and the Monadnock, with hun- 
dreds of smaller mountains, meet 
the eye of the beholder. There is, 
not far from the village in Farm- 
ington, a rock supposed to weigh 
from CO to 80 tons, so exactly pois- 
ed on other rocks, that it may be 
caused to vibrate several inches by 
the hand. At the bank of the Co- 
checo, a little more than a mile S. 
E. fi-oni tlie principal village, is a 
place called the Dock, so named 
iVom the circumstance that the first 
settlers usually deposited their lum- 
ber here to be floated down the riv- 
er. This name is some times igno- 
rantly applied to the village. 

Hon. Aaron Wingate, for ma- 
ny years a member of the legisla- 
ture, a counsellor from 1797 to 1803, 
and for sometime chief-justice of 
the common pleas in Strafford, died 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



here in 1S22, aged 78 years. Pop- 
ulation, 1830, 1,465. 

Fariiiiugton, Ct. 

Hartford co. The first settlers 
of this (own were from Hartford, 
being emigrants from the neighbor- 
hood of Boston, Mass. They loca- 
ted themselves, in l()40,on the lux- 
uriant meadows of the Tunxis, or 
Farmington river, 10 iniles W. from 
Hartford. The township was pur- 
chased of the Tunxis Indians, a nu- 
merous and warlike tribe. At its 
incorporation, in 164.5, the township 
comprised fifteen miles square ; 
since which the pleasant towns of 
Southington, Berlin, Bristol, Bur- 
lington and Avon have been taken 
from the original territory of Farm- 
ington. 

Farmington river rises in the high 
lands in the N. part of Litchfieid 
count}', and after meandering de- 
lightfully tlirough tiie towns of 
New Hartford and Burlington, in a 
S. E. direction, it changes its course 
at Farnungton to the N., and pass- 
ing Avon and Simsbury to the bor- 
der of (iranby, it again turns ab- 
ruptly to the E. and meets the Con- 
necticut at AVindsor. This is a 
beautiful and fertilizing stream, and 
gives to the tov^"ns through which 
it passes, but particularly to Farm- 
ington, large tracts of rich alluvial 
meadows. 

Farmington village is a delight- 
ful place, on an elevated plain, sur- 
rounded by high hills. The street 
is about two miles in length, beau- 
tifully shaded, and contains, be- 
sides two cluirches and an acade- 
my, about 100 neat dwelling houses, 
some of which are tasteful and ele- 
gant. The Farmington canal pass- 
es through the village. 

Round Hill, in the meadows, 
near the village, is a natural curi- 
osity. It rises abruptly, to the 
height of 60 feet, is nearly circular 
in its form and covers 12 acres. It 
is thought that this hill was former- 
ly an island in the centre of a lake, 



which covered the whole of the 
present meadows. The population 
of Farmington has varied Init little 
from 2,000 within the last 30 years. 

Fayette, Mc. 

Kennebec co. This town con- 
tains sotnc beautiful ponds and is 
the source of a branch of Sandy 
river. It lies 17 nules W. N. W. 
from Augusta, and is bounded E. by 
Keadlield. Incorporated, 1795. — 
Population, 1837, 1,006. This is a 
good township of land ; it produced, 
in 1837, 4,433 bushels of wheat and 
some wool. 

Fayston, Vt. 

Washington co. Fayston is gen- 
erally too mountainous to be much 
cultivated. Along the borders of 
some of the branches of Mad river, 
which lise here, is some arable 
land. It lies 16 miles W. S. W. 
from Monipelier, and 25 .S. E. from 
Burlington. First settled, 179S. 
Population, 1830, 458. 

Ferdinaud, Vt. 

Essex CO. This town was char- 
tered in 1761, and contains 23 
square miles; it is bounded S. 
E. by Maidstone. Paul's stream 
affords it a good water power, but 
the land is so mountainous, rocky, 
cold and swampy that people do not 
choose to cultivate it. 

Ferrislmrgli, Vt. 

Addison co. This township pos- 
sesses a good soil, an excellent wa- 
ter power by Otter, Little Otter, 
and Lewis creeks; and navigable 
privileges on the waters of t!ic out- 
lets of those creeks and lake Cham- 
plain. Basin liarlior in this town 
is deep and well protected from 
winds, and is a place of consider- 
able navigation and commercial im- 
portance. Across the lake to Essex, 
N. Y. is about two miles. Large 
crops of grain are produced here, 
and Ferrisburgli is noted for its fine 
butter, cheese, pork, and fat cattle. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



There are some woolen and other 
manufactures on its streams, and 
about 10,000 sheep graze in its pas- 
tures. Large quantities of lish are 
annually taken in the season of 
spring. First settled, 1784. Pop- 
ulation, 18.30, 1,822. Ferrisburgh 
lies 19 miles S. from Burlington, 
16 N. W. from Middlebury, and 34 
\V. from Montpelier. 

FitclibwrgU, Mass. 

Worcester co. This township 
was first granted by " the Great 
and General Court of His Majesty's 
Province of Massachusetts Bay, 
Nov. 4, 1719." The township thus 
granted included the territoiy of 
some of the neighboring towns. 
The town was incorporated in 1764. 
A large branch of the Nashua and 
two smaller streams pass through 
the town, and aflbrd it an extensive 
and constant water power. Over 
the Nashua, in the distance of two 
miles, are eleven dams for the ac- 
commodation of manufactories. This 
IS a very flourishing town, and ex- 
hibits in a striking manner the ef- 
fect of wafer power on the increase, 
wealth and respectability of many 
of our interior towns. There are 
many valuable mill sites at this 
place still unimproved. In the 
immediate vicinity of the principal 
village is an immense quarry of ex- 
cellent granite. This town lies 47 
miles W. N. W. from Boston, 24 N. 
from Worcester, 30 W. by S. from 
Lowell, and 60 N. E. from Spring- 
field. There are in Fitchburgh 4 
cotton, 3 woolen, and 2 paper mills. 
The manufactures for the year end- 
ing April 1, 1837, amounted to 
^429,640. The manufactures con- 
sisted of cotton and woolen goods, 
paper, leather, boots, shoes, hats, 
scythes, bellows, palm-leaf hats, 
straw bonnets, chairs, tin and cab- 
inet wares. The surface of the 
town is hilly, but the soil is strong 
and productive. Population, 1830, 
2,169; 1837,2,662. 



Fitz-william, W. H. 

Cheshire CO. Fitzwilliamlies 13 
miles S. E. from Keene, 60 S. W. 
from Concord, and 65 N. W. from 
Boston. Camp and Priest brooks, 
running in a S. direction, are the 
principal streams. South pond, 230 
rods long and of various width ; 
Sip's pond, 200 rods long and 100 
wide ; Rockwood's pond and Col- 
lin's pond, are the only natural col- 
lections of water. The surface of 
this town is hilly : the soil is rocky. 
There is a considerable quantity of 
very productive and highly valua- 
ble meadow land. The soil is suit- 
able for grazing and tillage. Beef, 
pork, butter and cheese are the sta- 
ples. The farmers have of late turn- 
ed their attention to the raising of 
sheep. Near the centre of the town 
is a large hill, remarkable for the 
beautifully romantic prospect it af- 
fords. Gap mountain, which at a 
distance, appears to be a part of the 
Monadnock, and on which are found 
various kinds of stones suitable for 
whetstones, lies partly in Troy and 
partly in the N. E. part of Fitz- 
william. Population, 1830, 1,229. 

Fletcher, Vt. 

Franklin co. There are some 
small streams in this town and some 
manufacturing operations. The soil 
is broken, hard, and not very pro- 
ductive. It lies 22 miles N. N. E. 
from Montpelier, and about 18 S. E. 
from St. Albans. Population, 1830, 
793. 

Floritla, Mass. 

Berkshire co. A mountainous 
township, 125 miles W. by N. from 
Boston, 27 N. N. E. from Lenox, 
and 7 E. from Adams. Florida is 
watered by Deerfield river, and ex- 
hibits some fine Alpine scenery. 
Population, 1837, 457. Inc. 1805. 

Poster, R. I. 

Providence CO. This is a large ag- 
ricultural and manufacturing town. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



finely watered by Hemlock brook, 
Ponongaasett and Moo^iip rivers. 
The surface of the town, in many 
parts, is rougli and uneven, but the 
soil is well calculated for the pro- 
ductions of the dairy. In the west- 
ern part are extensive forests of val- 
uable timber. There are a number 
of pleasant villages on the borders 
of the numerous streams, most of 
which are largely engaged in manu- 
facturing oi)ei'ations, particularly of 
cotton. Foster was lirst settled in 
1717; incorporated in 1781, and 
named in compliment to the Hon. 
Theodore Foster, formerly a 
senator of the United States. It lies 
15 miles W. by S. from Providence, 
and .50 E. from Hartford, Ct. Pop- 
ulation, 1830, 2,(j72. 

FoxborougU, 3Ias.s. 

Norfolk CO. This town was tak- 
en from Dorchester in 1778. It is 
watered by Rumtbrd and Cocasset 
rivers, branches of the Taunton, on 
which are mills of various kinds. 
The manufactures of Foxborough 
the year ending April 1, 1837, 
amounted to .^231,1:5(5: — they con- 
sisted of cotton and woolen goods, 
boots, shoes, leather, iron castings, 
.«traw bonnets, shovels, spades, hoes 
and forks. Foxboi-ough lies 24 
miles S. S. W. from 15oston,15 S. from 
Dedham, and 18 E. N. E. from 
Providence, R. I. Population, 1830, 
1,099; 1837,1,416. 

Foicroft, 3Ie. 

Piscataquis CO. This town is sit- 
uated on the north side of Piscata- 
quis river, opjjosite to Dover. The 
soil of the town is capable of pro- 
ducing all the varieties common to 
the climate. A part of Scbec pond 
lies in the north pa^jt of the town. 
In 1837, 5,574 bushels of wheat was 
raised. This is a fine section of 
country for the growth of beef and 
wool. Foxcroft was first settled in 
1805, and was named in compliment 
to the Hon. Joseph E. Foxcroft. 
The village, with an academy, is 



very pleasantly located on the bank 
of the river, and has the appearance 
of prosperity. Foxcioft lies 77 
miles N. N. E. from Augusta. — 
Population, 1830, 677; 1837,907. 
Incorporated, 1812. 

Fox Islauds, Me. 

See Vinalhacen. 

Framlngliain, Mass. 

Middlesex co. A large and flour- 
isliing manufacturing town, with a 
fine soil, and pleasant ponds: — 20 
miles W. S. \V. from Boston, and 13 
S. S. W. fi-om Concord. The ponds 
and Sudbury j-iver give this town a 
good water power. The value of 
the manufactures, the year ending 
April 1, 1837, amounted to .«!421,- 
111. The articles manufactured 
were 268,640 yards of woolen cloth, 
valued at $311,800; boots, shoes, 
leather, hats, paper, (.$46,000) straw 
bonnets, chairs, tin and cabinet 
wares. Framingham is a delight- 
ful town, and approached by the 
rail-road with great ease. It has 
become an agreeable resort for fish- 
ing, fowling and other rural sports. 
Incorporated, 1700. Population, in 
1830, 2,313 ; 1837, 2,881. 

Fraiicestotvn, N. H. 

Hillsborough co. It is 12 miles 
N. W. from Amherst, and 27 S. W. 
from Concord. The two S. branches 
of the Piscataquog rise in this town ; 
tlie largest branch from Pleasant 
pond, the other from Haunted pond. 
The former branch passes near the 
village in Francestown. Pleasant 
and Haunted ponds are considerable 
collections of water. The land is 
uneven, and in many parts stony, 
but the qualities of the soil arv 
warm and moist. There are sonu- 
small intervales, which are verv 
productive. About 7,000 sheep 
are kept here. The streams of wa- 
ter are not large, and almost everv 
mill is situated on rivers that take 
their rise from hills and ponds with- 
in the limits of the town. Tl>« 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



highest land is Crotched mountain, 
the summit of which is more than 
600 feet above the level of the 
common in the centre of the town. 
One of the summits of this moun- 
tain is covered with wood ; the other 
is almost a solid ledg-e of rocks, af- 
fording a very extensive prospect to 
the S. W. There is in the easter- 
ly part of this town a very exten- 
sive and valuable quarry of free- 
stone. It is of a dark greyish col- 
or, and when polished strongly re- 
sembles the variegated marble of 
Vermont. In the N. part of this 
town black lead has been found of 
a good quality — and in the S. part 
some beautiful specimens of rock 
crystal. The common garnet is 
met with in various places. On 
the N. side of Haunted pond, there 
is a bar of 20 rods in length, 6 feet 
high, and .3 or 4 feet tbiough ; but 
for wliat purpose or by what means 
this barrier was raised, is a matter 
of conjecture only. The local sit- 
uation of this town is very eligible 
for business, being near the centre 
of the county, and on the great 
thoroughfare fiom Windsor to Bos- 
ton, and on a leading ro;id from the 
8. W. part of the state to Concord. 
The village is very pleasant, neatly 
built and flourishing. Francestown 
derived its name from Frances, the 
wife of the last Gov. Wentworth. 
The first settlement was made about 
1760, by John Carson, a Scotch- 
man. 

Mr. James Woodbury, who 
died ?tlarch 3, 1823, at the age of 
85, closed his life in this town. He 
was an active soldier in the old 
French war, and engaged by the 
side of Gen. Wolfe, when he was 
killed at the memoral)le siege of 
Quebec. He was one of the truly 
invincible rangers under the im- 
mortal Stark, and discharged every 
duly in a prompt and courageous 
manner. Population, 1S30, 1-541. 

Franconia, Ti. II. 

Grafton co. It is 28 miles N. E. 



from Haverhill, and 74 N. from 
Concord. A large proportion of 
this town is mountainous. Its 
streams are branches of the Lower 
Amonoosuck river, and rise on the 
mountainous tracts to the east. 
Here are several ponds : one of 
which, called Ferriu's pond, is the 
source of the middle branch of Pem- 
igewasset river. The mountains 
adjoining the Notch, through which 
the road passes, are most conspicu- 
ous. These are called Mounts La 
Fayette and Jackson. On the lat- 
ter is the celebrated " Pi-ofile," or 
" Old Man of the Mountain." It is 
situated on a peak of solid rock, 
1,000 feet in height and almost per- 
pendicular. On this peak, nature, 
in her wildest mood, exhibits thf 
profile of the human face, of which 
eveiy feature is delineated with 
wonderful exactness. The Fran- 
conia mountain pass presents to the 
traveller some of the wildest scene- 
ry in our counti-y, and must ever re- 
main a great thoroughfare between 
the upper waters of the Connecti- 
cut river and the ocean. 

There are two iron establish- 
ments in this town. The lower 
works are situated on the S. branch 
of Amonoosuck river, and are own- 
ed by the Nev/ Hampshire Iron 
Factory Company; incorporated, 
Dec. IS, 1S05, which was composed 
principally of gentlemen in Salem 
and Boston. Their establishment 
is very extensive, consisting of a 
blast furnace, erected in 1808, an 
air furnace, a forge and trip-hani- 
mer shop. There are also near, or 
connected with the establishment, 
grain and saw-rnills, a large store, 
several shops, and other buildings, 
which make a small village. The 
ore is obtained from a mountain in 
the east part of Li.sbou,N. H., three 
miles from the furnace, and is con- 
sidered the richest in the United 
States, yielding from 58 to 63 per 
cent; and the mine is said lobe in- 
exhaustible. First settled, 1774. 
Population.lSSO, 417. 



NEW EXGLAi\D GAZETTEER. 



Frankfort, Me. 

Waldo CO. This excellent town- 
ship of land is situated on the W. 
side of Penobscot liver, 57 miles 
N. E. by E. fi-om Augusta, 12 S. 
from Bangor, and 18 N. from Bel- 
fast. It is well watered by Marsh 
river, on which are two beautiful 
villages. The largest village is 
near the Penobscot, on ]Marsh bnv. 
The other village is at the head of 
tlie tide, on JSlarsh river, about 4 
miles S. W. from the Penobscot, and 
is accommodated with exrellent 
mill privileges. The location of 
Frankt'ort is exceeding favorable to 
the navigation and trade of Penob- 
scot river, particularly so in the 
winter season, as it is the highest 
point on the river to which vessels 
can ascend during the icy season of 
the year. The prospects of Frank- 
fort in its commercial and agricul- 
tural pursuits are very promising : 
indeed it bids fair to become an im- 
portant depot on one of our largest 
rivers. Among the agricultural 
products of this town, in 1S.37, was 
9,330 bushels of wheat. Popula- 
tion, 1830, 2,487 ; 1837,3,223. In- 
coiporated, 17Sf). 

Fi-ankliii County, Me. 

Farminston is tlie county town. 
This county was incorporated March 
20, 1838. 

The following is the legislative 
descriplionof its territory: 

" The towns of New Sharon, 
Chesterville, Wilton, Temple and 
Farniington in the county of Ken- 
nebec ; and Jay, Carthage, M'eld, 
Berlin, Madrid, townships number- 
td six, letter E. and D. in the coun- 
ty of Oxford, thence extending 
northerly from the noith-wcst cor- 
ner of letter D. on the line be- 
twixt townsliips numbered three 
and four, through the several rang- 
es of townships to Canada line, so 
as to include three tiers of town- 
ships west of the west line of the 
Bingham Purchase in said county 
J3 



of Oxford ; and Industry, New Vine- 
yard, .Strong, Avon, Phillips, Free- 
man, Salem, Kinglield, townships 
numbered four in the first range 
west of Kingfield, three and four 
in the second range, and the south 
half of township numbered four in 
the third range of the Bingham 
Purchase, in tlie county of Somer- 
set, be and hereby are, &.c." 

This county is therefore bounded 
N. by Lower Canada, E. by the 
county of Somerset, S. by Kenne- 
bec and Oxfoiii counties, and W. by 
Oxford county. This county has 
no navigable waters, but is inter- 
spersed with numerous ponds and 
mill streams. Its surface is gen- 
erally undulating, with some moun- 
tainous tracts. Its soil, for the most 
part, is excellent, and cannot I'ail 
in remunerating the industrious far- 
mer by its products of wheat, beef, 
and wool. 

Franklin County, Vt. 

-S7. Albans, county town. This 
county is bounded N. by Lower 
Canada, E. by Orleans county, S. 
E. and S. by Lamoille county, S. 
by Chittenden county, and W. 
])y lake Champlain. Incorporated, 
1792. Population, 1830, 22,034. 
The Missisque river passes through 
the northern part of the county, 
and the Lamoille its most southern 
section. The principal part of the 
trade of this county goes to Canada, 
by lake Champlain, which aflbrds 
it many facilities in transportation. 
Although the surface is somewhat 
broken and in some parts mountain- 
ous, yet the soil is productive of 
wheat and grass. Many cattle are 
annually taken from this county to 
market, and in 1837 it had 63,000 
sheep. In this county, marble and 
iron ore of excellent qualities arc 
found. 

Franklin County, Mass. 

Grec}ifi<!.-f, county town. Bound- 
ed N. by Windham county, Vt., and 
a part of Cheshire county, N. JI. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER 



E. by Worcester count}', S. by 
Hampsbire county, and W. by Berk- 
sbire county. Area, 650 square 
miles. The Connecticut river pass- 
es nearly through the centre ot this 
county. It produces, in great abund- 
ance, all sorts of grain, fruits and 
vegetables common to its climate ; 
and exports considerable quantities 
of beef, pork, and products of the 
dairy. Manufactures are increas- 
ing in value and importance; and 
this county yields to no other in the 
state in the extent of its hydraulic 
powers, or in the richness and vari- 
ety of its scenery. There are 44 
inhabitants to a square mile. Chief 
rivers, Connecticut, Deerfield, and 
Miller's. Taken from Hampshire 
county in 1811. Population, 1S20, 
29,268; 1830, 29,344; 1837,28,0.5.5. 
The value of the manufactures of 
this county, for the year ending- 
April 1, 1837, was $787,900. The 
value of wool grown, the product 
of 55,713 fleeces, was $70,513. 

Frauklin, Me. 

Hancock co. Franklin lies at the 
head of Taunton bay, the most 
northerly waters of Frenchman's 
bay. It is bounded S. by Sullivan, 
and contains several large pond^s 
and good mill sites. Fianklin is 
about 15 miles E. from Ellsv/orth. 
Population, 1837, 474. Incorporat- 
ed, 1825. 

Frauklm, N. H. 

Merrimack co. This town was 
incorpoi-ated in 1828, from parts of 
the towns of Salisbury, Andover, 
Sanbornton, and Northtield : is 18 
miles from Concord, G3 fi-oui Ports- 
mouth, and 78 from Boston. Frank- 
lin is a place of considerable and 
increasing business; has a cotton 
factory, two paper mills, an iron 
foundry, and other manufacturing 
establishments. The junction of 
the Winnepisiogee and Pemigewas- 
set rivers, in this town, form the 
noble Merrimack, creating on both 



streams an extensive and valuable 
water power. It is probable that 
within a few years the river will 
be rendered navigable, by means 
of locks and canals, as far up as 
Franklin, in which event it would 
become one of the most flourishing 
interior towns in New Hampshire. 
Population, in 1830, 1,370. 

Franklin, Vt. 

Franklin co. This town was for- 
merly called Huntsburgh, and was 
lirst settled in 1789. It lies 50 
miles N. W. from Montpelier, 17 
N. N. E. from St. Albans, and 
bounded N. by Canada. The sur- 
face of the town is rough, but the 
soil is tolerably well adapted for 
sheep, of which about 3,500 are 
kept. Population, 1830, 1,129. 

Franklin, Mass. 

Norfolk CO. Charles river and 
its branches afford Franklin a good 
water power. It was taken from 
Wrentham in 1778. There are five 
cotton mills in the town, and man- 
ufactures of straw bonnets, shoes, 
boots, boxes and boats ; total amount 
of manufactures in one yeai-, $210,- 
472, of which .$160,186 were for 
straw bonnets, for which this town 
is celebrated. Franklin lies 27 miles 
S. W. by S. from Boston, and 17 S. 
S. W. from Dedham. Population, 
1837, 1,696. 

Franklin, Ct. 

New London co. Shetucket riv- 
er separates this town from Lisbon. 
The surface of Franklin is uneven; 
the soil a gravelly loam, more lit 
for grazing than tillage. There is 
a woolen factory on Beaver brook, 
a branch of the Shetucket, but the 
chief business of the people is rear- 
ing sheep, and other agricultural 
pursuits. Population, 1830, 1,194. 
It lies 34 miles E. S. E. from Hart- 
ford, and 7 N. by W. from Norwich. 
Fianklin was taken from Norwich 
in 1786. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



Freedom, Met 

Waldo CO. Previous to^ts incor- 
poration, in 1813, the territory of 
Freedom was called " Beaver Hill." 
It was first settled in 1794. It is a 
good township of land, and bound- 
ed W. by Albion, and E. by Knox. 
It is about 20 miles E. S. E. from 
Belfast, and 25 N. E. from Augus- 
tii. Freedom, in 1837, with a pop- 
ulation of 1,058, produced 6,084 
bushels of wheat. 

Kreedom, N. H. 

Straflbrd co. This town, former- 
ly A'orth Effingham, Avas incorpo- 
rated by its present name, Dec. 6, 
1832. It is an uneven townsjiip, 
but has some good farms. It is 
bounded in part by the Ossipee lake, 
and river, which discharge east- 
wardly into the Saco. Distant 60 
miles N. N. E. from Concord. Pop- 
ulation, in 1833, about 900. 

Freeman, 3Ie. 

Franklin co. This small town 
of only 17,000 acres, most of which 
is woodland, with a population 
of 805, produced 6,485 bushels of 
wheat in 1837. Freeman is the 
source of a small branch of Sandy 
river. It lies 62 miles N. W. from 
Augusta, and 15 N. from Farming- 
ton. 

f reeport. Me. 

Cumberland CO. This is a respect- 
able town with a pleasant village, 
and small harbor at the head of Cas- 
co bay, on the road from Portland 
to Brunswick, 18 miles N. by E. 
from the former, 9 S. W. from the 
latter, and .36 S. S. W. from A>igus- 
ta. Freeport was taken from North 
Yarmouth in 1789, and was former- 
ly called the Harraseeket Settle- 
ment, from the name of the river 
that passes through it. This is a 
place of some navigation, ship build- 
ing, and agricultural enterprize. 
Population, 1837, 2,659. 



Freetotvn, Mass. 

Bristol CO. This town lies on the 
E. side of Taunton river, 8 miles 
S. from Taunton, 12 N. by W. from 
New Bedford, and 40 S. from Bos- 
ton. First settled, 1659. Incor- 
porated, 1683. Population, 1837, 
1,779. It is watered by a branch 
of Taunton river, and has some nav- 
igation. The manufactures of Free- 
town consist of iron castings, cut- 
lery, axes, shovels, spades, hoes, 
forks, nails, leather, boots, shoes, 
vessels, chairs, and cabinet ware. 
Total amount, in one year, ,$43,820. 
The soil is light, and keeps, among 
other cattle, about 1,000 sheep. 

Freucli River. 

This river rises in Leicester, Mass. 
It passes through Auburn, Oxford, 
and Dudley ; it then enters the state 
of Connecticut and joins the Quin- 
ebaugh at Thompson. Some French 
protestants settled on this river in 
1685. 

Frenclimaii's Bay, Me. 

This important bay, in the county 
of Hancock, containing a number 
of excellent harbors and beautiful 
islands, is bounded W. by Baker's 
island, one of the Cranberry islands, 
and E. by a peninsula in Goldsbo- 
rough, on the AV. side of which is 
Musquito harbor. The distance 
across this bay, from Baker's island 
to Goldsborough point, is 10 miles. 
This bay juts in from the Atlantic 
ocean about 20 miles, and is envi- 
roned by the towns of Eden, Tren- 
ton, Hancock, Franklin, Sullivan, 
and Goldsborough, and is the recip- 
ient of many valuable streams. It 
is easy of access, never obstructed 
by ice, and is one of the best retreats 
in a storm on the American coast. 

Friendshii>, Me. 

Lincoln co. This is an Atlantic 
town, containing several islands, at 
the head of Muscongus bay. It 
was formerly called the Medimcook 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



Settlement, a.s]ym<^hetween a riv- 
er of that name and the Muscongus. 
Friendship is a place of consider- 
able navigation and trade. It lies 
48 miles S. E. from Augusta, and 
10 miles S. W. from Warren. Pop- 
ulation, 1837, 662. 

Pryeburgli, Me. 

Oxford CO. This interesting and 
pleasant town lies on both sides of 
Saco river, on the line of New 
Hampshire. The uplands are not 
remarkable for their fertility, but 
the intervales on the Saco are of the 
choicest kind. Fryeburgh is only 6 
miles square, yet the Saco here is 
so fantastic in its course that it winds 
itself between 30 and 40 miles with- 
in its limits. This town, the Indian 
Pequawket, lies 75 miles W. N. W. 
from Augusta, 47 N. W. from Port- 
land, and 28 S. W. from Paris.— 
Population, 1837, 1,444. Incorpo- 
rated, 1777. The principal village 
is situated on a plain, surrounded by 
lofty hills, and watered by the Sa- 
co: it bears evident marks of anti- 
quity, and has an academy " with 
a cabinet of rare curiosities, col- 
lected with much diligence." — 
Love well's pond lies a short distance 
from the village. This beautiful 
sheet of water, now the resort for 
innocent aniusements, was once the 
scene of bloody combat, and of the 
overthrow of a powerful Indian 
tribe. 

The story of LovewelVs Fight 
has been told thousands of times, 
hut as it is identitied with the tov.n 
of which we treat, we quote a brief 
notice of the event from the North 
American Review. 

" It was on the 18th of April, 
1725, that Capt. John Lovewell, of 
Dunstable, Massachusetts, with 34 
men, fought a famous Indian chief, 
named Paugus, atthe head of about 
80 savages, near the shores of a 
pond in Pequawket. Lovewcll's 
men were determined to conquer 
or die, although out-numbered by 
the Indians more than one half. 



They fought till Lovewell and Pau- 
gus were killed, and all Lovewell's 
men but nine were either killed or 
wounded dangerously. The sava- 
ges having lost, as was supposed, 
60 of their number out of 80, and 
being convinced of the fierce and 
determined resolution of their foes, 
at length retreated and left them 
masters of the ground. The scene 
of this desperate and bloody action, 
which took place in the town which 
is now called Fryeburgh, is often 
visited with interest to this day, 
and the names of those who fell, 
and those who survived, are yet re- 
peated with emotions of grateful 
exultation." 

Fiindy, Bay of. 

This hay washes a part of the 
eastern shore of Maine ; and as it 
is an important channel of com- 
merce between the United States 
and the British provinces of New 
Brunswick and Nova Scotia, it may 
be useful to notice it. This large 
and important bay sets up N. E. 
round cape Sable, tlie most south- 
ern point of Nova Scotia, in N. lat. 
43° 24', W. Ion. 65° 39', and cross- 
es to the shore of Maine a little W. 
of Frenchman's bay. From the 
mouth of Frenchman's bay to Cape 
Sable is about 150 miles ; from 
Eastport to St. John's, N. B. is 60 
miles ; from St. John's to Annapo- 
lis, in a bay of that name, on the 
Nova Scotia side, is 40 miles; from 
thence to Halifax, by land, is 80 
miles. From Eastport direct to 
Annapolis, across the bay, is about 
70 miles. The Bay of Fundy is 
divided near its head by cape Chig- 
necto. The N. W. part is called 
Chignecto bay; the S. E. part the 
Basin of Mines. From Eastport to 
Cumberland, at the head of Chig- 
necto bay, is about 170 miles; to 
Windsor, at the head of the Basin 
of Mines, is about 150. From 
Windsor to Halifax in N. lat. 44° 
39' 20", W. Ion. 63° 36' 40", is 45 
miles. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEKR. 



The commerce on this bay with 
our friends and neighbors, the Eng- 
lish, is very considerable. While 
they receive bread stulFs and other 
productions of our soil, we are in- 
debted to them for vast quantities 
of grindstones and gypsum to sharp- 
en our tools and renovate the soil. 
The gypsum is principally from the 
Basin of Mines; — it lies embedded 
in elevated masses along the shores 
of the bay ; — it is easily quarried 
and taken on board of vessels bv 
the sides of the cliti's. This gypsum 
is of a tine quality, and it is doubtful 
whether any has been discovered 
in our own country as good. 

The grindstones from Cumber- 
land, or Chignecto bay, arc every 
where celebrated. The source is 
inexhaustible, and the manufacture 
immense. 

The tides in the bay of Fundy 
are supposed to rise to a greater 
height than in any other part of the 
world. Their elevation increases 
as you ascend the bay. At East- 
port they rise 25 feet ; at St. John's 
30 ; at Cape Split, 5.3 ; at Windsor, 
CO, and at Cumberland, at the head 
of Chignecto bay, they rise to the 
enormous height of 71 feet. These 
tides announce themselves some 
time before their approach, by a 
sound resembling that of a rushing 
wind in a forest : they dash against 
the shore with a reddish hue, the 
color of the clay bottom over which 
they pass, with frightful violence ; 
at first, to the height of from 8 to 
10 feet, overwhelming all within 
their reach. 

There are but few islands with- 
in this bay. Grand Mcnan, and a 
clusterof small islands round it, off 
West Quoddy Head, and Campo Bcl- 
lo, near Eastport, are the pi-incipal. 
They belong to the British. A 
small island about 5 miles off the 
S. W. part of cape Chignecto, call- 
ed Isle de Havt, contains beauti- 
ful specimens of asbestos. 

The rapidity of the tides within 
this bay, the fogs which frequently 



prevail, and the absence of good 
harbors between Eastport and St. 
John's, and from St. John's to cape 
Chignecto, render the navigation 
difficult and often dangerous. 

The harbor of St. John's is easy 
of access, safe, and of sufficient ex- 
panse for a large fleet of any draught 
of water. The city of St. John's 
contains about 15,000 inhabitant*. 
It is located at the outlet of the 
great river whose name it bears, in 
N. lat. 45^ 20', W. Ion. 66='. This 
city is a very flourishing place. It 
is the largest resource for timber and 
lumber that Queen Victoria has in 
her possessions. 

St. John's river rises in Canada 
and the northern part of Maine. It 
receives the Madawaska, St. Fran- 
cis, Aroostook, and many other val- 
uable tributaries, from Maine; it 
waters a large portion of its north- 
ern territory, and bears manj' valu- 
able productions of that state to its 
mouth. " This river is 350 miles 
long ; the tide flows up about 80 
miles ; it is navigable for boats 200 
miles, and for sloops of 50 tons 80 
miles. This river and its branches 
water a large tract of excellent 
country. About 30 miles from its 
mouth commences a fine level coun- 
try of rich meadow lands, well cloth- 
ed with timber. The river furnish- 
es a great quantity of salmon, bass 
and sturgeon. About a mile above 
the city of St. John's is the only 
entrance into this river. It is about 
SO or 100 yards wide, 400 yards 
long, called the falls of the river. 
It being narrow, and a ridge of rocks 
running across the bottom of the 
channel, on which there are not 
above 17 feet of water, it is not suf- 
ficiently spacious to discharge the 
fresh waters of the river above. 
The common tides here rising above 
20 feet, the waters of the river at 
low water are about 20 feet higher 
than the waters of the sea ; at high 
water the waters of the sea are 
about 5 feet higher than those of 
the river : so that at every tide there 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



are two falls, one outwards and one 
inwards. The only time of pass- 
ing with safety is when the waters 
of the river and of the sea are lev- 
el, which is twice in a tide, and 
continues only about 20 minutes 
each time." 

Fredcrickton, tlie capital of New 
Brunswick, lies on this river, 80 
miles from its mouth, in N. lat. 46° 
S', W. Ion. 66° 45'. 

Gardiner, Me. 

Kennebec co. Gardiner was for- 
merly a part of Pittston, and lies 
on the W. side of Kennebec river, 
6 miles S. fiom Augusta, and 4 be- 
low Hallowell. It is located at the 
head of large navigation, and in re- 
gard to its commerce, manufactur- 
ing and agricultural interests, it is 
considered one of the most flourish- 
ing towns in Maine. It was incor- 
poi-ated in 1S03, and was named in 
honor of Dr. Sylvester Gardi- 
NKR, one of the proprietors of the 
old Plymouth patent. 

The Cobbesseconfee tvaters meet 
the Kennebec river at this place, 
and produce a water power of great 
usefulness and extent. Here are 
mills for sawing lumber of all di- 
mensions, and here are vessels of 
from SO to 120 tons burthen, lading 
it for transportation to its various 
markets. Here are also manufac- 
tures of various other kinds. This 
town, Hallowell and Augusta, lie in 
a most favored section of our coun- 
ti-y. What we have said in regard 
to the location of Hallowell and 
Augusta, may be applied to Gard- 
iner. These towns are on the same 
side of a noble river, united by the 
same interests and feelings, and will 
soon be connected by a rnil-road 
passing between them. The vil- 
lage of Gardiner is very pleasant. 
The business part lying on the riv- 
er, is full of activity and enterprise. 
The buildings, on a gentle rise from 
the river, are bea\itifully located. 
They command a delightful pros- 
pect, and some of them are of 



superior architecture. Population, 
1837, 3,709. The present popula- 
tion is about 5,000. 

Gardner, Mass. 

Worcester co. Otter river, a con- 
siderable stream, a branch of Mil- 
ler's river, rises partly in this town, 
and affords good mill seats. On this 
river is some good intervale land ; 
the high lands are rough, but good 
for grazing. The value of palm- 
leaf hats, straw bonnets, chairs, 
cabinet and wooden wares, leath- 
er, boots and shoes, manufactured 
in one year, amounted to $132,- 
272. The cabinet ware and chairs 
amounted to $109,000. Gardner 
was incorporated in 1785, and lies 
54 miles N. W. by W. from P.oston, 
and 23 N. W. by N. from Worcesj- 
ter. Population, 1837, 1,276. 

A. church was fonned here in 
1786, and the Rev. Jonathan Osgood 
was ordained. He died in 1825, af- 
ter sustaining the vocations of pas- 
tor, physician and school master, 30 
years. 

Garland, Me. 

Penobscot co. Garland is water- 
ed by some of the head branches 
of Kenduskeag stream. It lies 74 
miles N. E. hy N. from Augusta, 
and 27 N. W. from Bangor. Incor- 
porated, 1811. Population, 183G, 
621 ; 1837, 932. This is an excel- 
lent township of land ; it produced, 
in 1837, 6,521 bushels of wheat. 

Gay Head, Mass. 

See Chihnark. 

Georgetown, Me. 

Lincoln co. Georgetown is con- 
stituted of two considerable islands 
lying at the mouth of Kennebec 
river. These islands have Kenne- 
bec river on the W., Sheepscot riv- 
er on the E., and separated from 
Woolwich on the N. by a naviga- 
ble passage between those two riv- 
ers. It is a little below Bath, on 
the opposite shore. This is one 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



of the mo«t ancient settlements in 
Maine. The town was incorporat- 
ed in 1716. Population, 1837, 1,3.55. 
It lies 46 miles S. from Augusta, 
and 12 S. W. from Wiscasset. This 
town has excellent harbors, and pos- 
.sesses peculiar privileges lor all oc- 
cupations connected with naviga- 
tion and the fisheries. 

Georgeto'wn, Mass. 

Essex CO. Georgetown was the 
W. part of Rowley. It was called 
JVew Rowley for some years, un- 
til its incorporation as a separate 
town, in 18.38. Georgetown is wa- 
tered by a branch of Parker's riv- 
er, and is almost entirely engaged 
in manufactures and the mechanic 
arts. It is a pleasant town and high- 
ly flourishing. Population, about 
1,500. It lies 30 miles N. from 
Boston, and 10 S. "SV. from Newbu- 
ryport. The people of Georgetown 
are probably more extensively en- 
gaged in the manufacture of boots 
and shoes than at any other place, 
of its population, in America. The 
value of boots and shoes manufac- 
tured, and leather tanned, is said to 
exceed $500,000 annually. 

Georgia, "Vt. 

Franklin co. Population, fSSO, 
1,897. Georgia lies 40 miles N. 
W. from Montpelier, and 8 S. from 
St. Albans. First settled, 1784. 
The soil of Georgia is various but 
generally fertile. It feeds about 
11,000 sheep. The Lamoille pass- 
es through the S. E. corner of the 
town, which, with other streams, 
give it an ample water power. This 
is a place of considerable trade and 
some manufactures. Over Stone 
Bridge brook is a stone bridge, — 
a curious piece of nature's mechan- 
ism. Georgia is washed on the W. 
by Lake Champlain : the village is 
pleasantly located, and commands 
some very pretty lake and moun- 
tain scenery. 



Gilead, Me. 

Oxford CO. Between two moun- 
tains on both sides of Androscoggia 
river. There is some good land on 
the river, but the chief part of the 
township is fit only for grazing. 
The expense of transportation of 
fuel down the mountains, in a slip- 
pery time, is very trifling. Gilead 
lies 71 miles W. from Augusta, and 
25 S. S. \V. from Paris. Incorpora- 
ted, 1804. Population, 1837, 374. 

Gilford, N. II., 

One of the four shire towns for 
Stratford county, is situated on the 
S. side of W'innepisiogee lake. 
This town lies 26 miles N. N. E. 
from Concord, and 48 N. W. from 
Portsmouth. The soil is generally 
productive. There are two ponds 
in this town, Little and Chattlebo- 
rough. Gunstock and Mile's rivers, 
rising in Suncook mountains and 
flowing N. into the lake, are the 
principal streams. The N. source 
of the Suncook river is on the S. 
of these mountains, which extend 
in a lofty pile over the E. part of 
the town, from Gilnianton line near- 
ly to the lake. There are two isl- 
ands in the lake, belonging to Gil- 
ford, one of which has been con- 
nected to the main land by abridge 
30 rods in length. This town, 
which was formerly a part of Gil- 
manton, was incorporated June 16, 
1812. It was settled in 1778.— 
Here are manufactories of cotton 
and paper, besides other useful mills 
and machinery. Four bridges 
across the Winnepisiogee connect 
the town with Meredith. The vil- 
lage at this place is thriving and 
pleasant. Population, 1830, 1,872. 

Gill, Mass. 

Franklin co. A mountainous 
township on the W. side of Con- 
necticut river ; 86 miles W. by N. 
from Boston, ..nd 5 E. N. E. from 
Greenfield. Gill contains a fine 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



tract of rich intervale on a bend 
of the Connecticut. Tlie people 
are generally engaged in farming. 
The town is divided from Greenfield 
by Fall river. It has some manu- 
factures of combs, wooden ware, 
leather and palm-leaf hats. The 
fleeces of 1,809 sheep weighed 
5,627 pounds, and were valued, in 
1837, at .$2,214. Population, 1837, 
809. Taken from Deerlield in 
1793. 

Gilniaiitou, N. II. 

One of the shire towns in Straf- 
ford county, 17 miles N. N. E. from 
Concord, and 45 W. N. W. from 
Portsmouth. It is bound N. W. by 
Winnepisiogee bay and river. Pop- 
ulation, 1830, 3,816. Beside the 
Winnepisiogee, this town is water- 
ed by the Suncook and Soucook 
rivers, which have their sources in 
Gilmanton. The Suncook rises in a 
pond near the fop of one of the 
Suncook mountains, elevated 900 
feet above its base. The water of 
this pond falls into another at the 
foot of the mountain, of 1 mile in 
length and 1-2 mile wide. Passing 
from this, it falls into another, cov- 
ering about 500 acres, from which 
it meanders through the town, re- 
ceiving several streams in its course. 
The Soucook rises from Loon, 
Rocky and Shellcamp ponds, in the 
S. part of the town. This town is 
very hilly and rocky. The soil is 
hard, but fruitful, when properly 
cultivated. The geology of this 
town presents many varieties. — 
There are several springs in Gilman- 
ton, termed mineral ; one of which 
has proved efficacious in cutaneous 
and bilious affections. This town 
was granted May 20, 1727, to 24 
persons of the name of Gilman, and 
152 others. In Dec. 1761, Benja- 
min and John Mudgett, with their 
families, settled here. Dorothy 
Weed, the first child, was born here 
Oct. 13, 1762. An academy was 
founded here in 1764. Its produc- 
tive funds are about $11,000. The 



theological seminary at this place 
is connected with the academy, and 
is a flourishing institution. 

Gilsum, ]V. H. 

A small township in Cheshire 
county, situated about 10 miles E. 
from the Connecticut. The' soil is, 
in many parts, fertile, and produces 
good ci-ops of grass and grain. 
Ashuelot river runs through this 
town and affords a good supply of 
water for mills, which is improv- 
ed for cotton and other manufac- 
tures. Gilsum was granted July 
13, 1763, to Messrs. Gilbert, Sum- 
ner and others. From the com- 
bination of the first syllables of the 
names of these men, it derives the 
name of Gil-sum. The first settle- 
ment was made in 1764. Gilsum 
lies 55 miles S. W. by W. from 
Concord, and about 9 N. from 
Keene. Population, 1830, 642. 

Glcnbiirii, 3Ie. 

Penobscot CO. This territory 
was called Dutton, from 1822 to 
1837. It lies 76 miles N. E. from 
Augusta, and 10 N. N. W. from 
Bangor. Population, 1837, 717. 
Glenburn is situated on both sides 
of the great bend of Kenduskeag 
stream. It has a water power, but 
the inliabitants are mostly farmers. 
The soil is good, and considerable 
wheat is raised. 

Glastenljury, Vt. 

Bennington co. This is a town- 
ship of 40 square miles of moun- 
tainous land, more fit for the resi- 
dence of wild beasts than human 
beings. It is 9 miles N. E. from 
Bennington. Population, 1S30, 59. 

Glasteiibiiry, Ct. 

Hartford co. This town, pre- 
vious to its incorporation in 1690, 
had been attached to Wethersfield. 
It lies on the east side of Connecti- 
cut river opposite to Wethersfield, 
8 miles S. from Hartford. It has 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



some fine land on Connecticut riv- 
er. The face of the ujjlands is rousih 
but generally productive. About 
a mile and a half from Connecticut 
river, and 8 miles from Chatham 
freestone quarry, in a romantic spot 
between the hills, is a beautiful vil- 
la2;e connected with the Hartford 
Manufacturing Company. Roar- 
ing brook, at this place, passes 
through a very narrow delile,aflbrd- 
ing a great and constant water pow- 
er. Cotton is manufactured here 
to a considerable extent, and the 
village is very flourishing. From 
the hills around this village a great 
variety of deli;ihlful scenery is ob- 
servable. Population, 1S30, 2,9S0. 
" In the eastein part of the town 
there is a pond of about a mile in 
circumference, called ' Diamond 
pond,' from the circumstance of 
there being small pebbles or stones 
around its margin, having a pe- 
culiar brilliancy. Near the cen- 
tre of the town there is a mineral 
spring, which, though it has acquir- 
ed no celebrity abroad, has been 
thought by men of science who 
have examined it, to possess valua- 
ble medicinal (lualitics ; and for 
more than one hundred years has 
been known by the name of the 
♦ Pool of Neipseic' " 

Gloucester, Mass. 

Essex CO. This is a maritime 
township, comprising the whole of 
Cape Ann, and celebrated for the 
enterprise of its peo])le in the fish- 
eries and commercial pursuits. It 
is one of the oldest fishing estab- 
lishments in the state. This cape 
extends about 8 nules into the sea, 
and forms the northern boundary of 
Massachusetts bay. Its harbor is 
capacious, easy of access at any 
season, and of sufficient water for 
ships of great burthen. Gloucester 
harbor and tl»e chief settlements 
are on the south side. Sandy and 
Squam bays lie on the north side, 
about 4 miles from the soiith har- 
bor, and aflbrd harbois for small 



vessels. The liglifs on Thatcher's 
island bear about northeast (i miles 
from East Point, the eastern boun- 
dary of (iloucester harbor. As 
early as 179 1 the exports from this 
place, in one year, amounted to 
^230,000. Here are immense quar- 
ries of light and grayish granite, 
which is split with great ease, and 
in large regularly formed blocks. 
This stone is of a fine grain, is easi- 
ly di-essed, and can be put on board 
of vessels with little expense. The 
demand for this stone is rapidly in- 
creasing, and the quarrying, ham- 
mering, and transporting it gives 
eniployment to many men and ves- 
sels. The canal across the neck 
of the cape has failed of that suc- 
cess which was anticipated. The 
manufacture of palm-leaf liats, 
boots, shoes, hats, vessels, chairs, 
tin and cabinet wares, in the year 
ending April 1, 1837, amounted to 
,*<46,726. In that year there were 
221 vessels e/nployed in the cod 
and mackerel fishery, the tonnage 
of which was 9,824 tons. They 
took 55,181 quintals of cod fish, and 
43,934 barrels of mackerel : 113,- 
7fi0 bushels of salt was used, and 
1,580 hands employed. The value 
of the cod and mackerel taken was 
.$522,082. There are belonging to 
this place a great number of vessels 
engaged in foreign and domestic 
trade. The total tonnage of the 
district in 1837 was 18,802 tons. 
This town lies in N. lat. 42° 36', 
W. Ion. 70° 40', and was incorpora- 
ted in 1039. Population, 1820, 
6,384; 1830,7,513; 1837, 8,822. 
It lies 29 miles N. E. from Boston, 
and 16 N. E. by E. from Salem. 
Gloucester is a very pleasant town, 
and a delightful retreat in summer 
'months, 

Gloucester, R. I. 

Providence co. This large and 
j-espectable manufacturing town 
lies 16 miles W. S. W. from Provi- 
dence, and 50 E. by N. from Hart- 
ford. First settled, 1700. Incorpo- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTKER. 



rated, 1730. The surface of the 
town is somewhat broken by hills, 
but the soil is well adapted to agri- 
cultural purposes, particularly to 
grazing. Gloucester furnishes large 
supplies of various products lor 
market. There are fine forests in 
several parts of the town, and large 
quantities of ship and other timber 
are conveyed to Providence and 
other places. The Chepachet and 
gome smaller streams give Glou- 
cester a good water power. Man- 
ufacturing establishments are very 
numerous, and Gloucester yields to 
but few towns in New England in 
the value of this branch of indus- 
try, particularly in the manufac- 
ture of cotton. Population, 1S30, 
2.522. 

Glover, Vt. 

Orleans co. Glover was first set- 
tled in 1797. It lies 33 miles N. 
N. E. from Montpelier, and 12 S. 
by E. from Irasburgh. The town 
is hilly, and the soil is more fit for 
grazing than tillage. There are 
about 3,200 sheep in the town. 
There are in the town branches of 
Barton's, Passumpsic, Lamoille, and 
Black rivers, and several ponds. 
On these streams are some manu- 
factures, but none of any great 
importance. Population, 1830,902. 
We copy an account of the run- 
ning off of Long Pond, from 
Thompson's valuable Gazetteer of 
Vermont. 

"Long pond was situated partly 
in this township and partly in 
Greensborough. This pond was 
one and a half miles long, and about 
half a mile wide, and discharged its 
waters to the south, foi-ming one of 
the head branches of the river La- 
moille. On the 6th of June, 1810, 
about 60 persons went to this pond 
ibr the purpose of opening an out- 
let to the north into Bai-ton river, 
that the mills, on that stream, might 
receive an occasional supply of wa- 
ter. A small channel was excava- 
ted, and the water commenced run- 



ning in a northerly direction. It 
happened that the northern barrier 
of the pond consisted entirely of 
quicksand, except an encrusting of 
clay next the water. The sand 
was immediately removed by the 
current, and a large channel formed. 
The basin formed by the encrusting 
of clay was incapable of sustaining 
the incumbent mass of waters, and 
it brake. The whole pond imme- 
diately took a northerly course, and, 
in fifteen minutes from this time, its 
bed was left entirely bare. It was 
discharged so suddenly that the 
country below was instantly inun- 
dated. The deluge advanced like 
a wall of waters, 60 or 70 feet in 
height, and 20 rods in width, level- 
ing the forests and the hills, and 
filling up the valleys, and sweeping 
off mills, houses, barns, fences, cat- 
tle, horses and sheep as it passed, 
for the distance of more than ten 
miles, and barely giving the inhab- 
itants sufficient notice of its ap- 
proach to escape with their lives in- 
to the mountains. A rock, suppos- 
ed to weigh more than 100 tons, 
was removed half a mile from its 
bed. The waters removed so rap- 
idly as to reach Memphremagog 
lake, distance 27 miles, in about 
six hours from the time they left 
the pond. Nothing now remains 
of the pond but its bed, a part of 
which is cultivated and a part over- 
grown with bushes and wild grass, 
with a small brook running through 
it, which is now the head branch 
of Barton river. The channel 
through which the waters escaped 
is 127 feet in depth and several 
rods in width. A pond, some dis- 
tance below, w'as, at first, entirely 
filled with sand, which has since 
settled down, and it is now about 
one half its former dimensions. 
Marks of the ravages are still to be 
seen through nearly the whole 
course of Barton river." 

Goflstown, N. H., 

Hillsborough co., is 12 miles N. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



by E. from Anilicrst, and 16 S. from 
Concord. Piscataquog river, the 
tributary branches of which unite 
near the W. line of the town, runs 
through its centre in an E. direc- 
tion, and falls into Merrimack riv- 
er at Piscataquog village in Bed- 
ford. Large quantities of lunibcr 
are annually floated down this riv- 
er to the ^Ierrinlack, and most of 
the mill privileges are derived from 
tiiis vahiai)le stream. There are 
two considerable elevations in the 
S. W. part of the town, which ob- 
tained from the Indians the name 
of Uii-caa-riit-iiuc. On the rivers 
are considerable tracts of valuable 
intervale. Back from the rivers 
commence extensive plains, easy of 
cultivation, and producing abun- 
dant crops of Indian corn and rye. 
From these plains the land rises 
on each side of Piscataquog river 
into large swells. In this town 
there is an extensive cotton factorj'. 
The GolTstown Manufacturing Com- 
pany are erecting a large woolen 
factory at a Nourishing village, in 
the \V. part of the town, on Piscat- 
aquog river. Population, 1830, 
2,213. 

Dr. Jox.VTHAX Gove, a man 
distinguished for his urbanity, his 
talents and professional skill, resid- 
ed in this town. He was one of 
the oldest practitioners of medicine 
in the county. He was many years 
an active member of the legisla- 
ture. 

Goldsboroii^Ii, 31c. 

Hancock co. This is a large 
township, on the Atlantic ocean, 
containing a number of excellent 
harbors, and nearly surroundeil by 
water. It is admirably located for 
all the various pursuits in naviga- 
tion. Goldsborougli harbor, on the 
E. side of the town, is capacious and 
easy of approach by almost any 
wind. Frenchman's bay extends 
on the W. side of the town and af- 
fords it many commercial advanta- 
ges. It lies 99 miles E. from Au- 



gusta, 27 S. E. from Ellsworth, and 
is bounded by Sullivan on the N. 
Incorporated, 1789. Population, 
1830, SSO; 1837, 1,047. 

Gorliam, Me. 

Cumberland co. This town i-i 
watered on the N. E. side by Pre- 
sumpscut river, and the Cumberland 
and Oxford canal. It is 9 miles W. 
N. W. from Portland, and C3 S. W. 
trom Augusta. Gorham was first 
settled in 1736, bj- John Phinney 
and others from Barnstable county, 
Mass. Maine was at that time 
almost a vi'ilderness. Portland, Sa- 
co and Scarborough were very fee- 
ble in consequence of the depreda- 
tions of the Indian*. These peo- 
ple endured great privations, and 
for many years were in constant 
apprehension of attack by the sav- 
ages. " The wives and daugh- 
ters of the first settlers of Gorham 
shared in all the toils and wants of 
their husbands and fathers ; they 
used to labor in the field, carry bur- 
dens, go to mill, and aid in defence 
of their property. One time when 
most of the men were awaj-, the 
Indians attacked the fort, and the 
wife of Hugh McLellan rallied the 
women in the garrison, shut the 
gates, mounted the walls, fired up- 
on the Indians, and by her courage 
and activity batHed the enemy till 
succor arrived." 

Kev. Solomon Lombard, a native 
of Truro, Mass., was the first set- 
tled minister. His annual salary 
was j£53, 6s. 8il. He was ordained 
Dec. 26, 1750. One hundred and 
twentjMlollars were raised to defray 
the expenses of the ordination. 
We copy the following from the 
list of supplies for that occasion, to 
show the prices of some articles at 
that period. 

1 barrel of flour, £14 7s. 6d. 
3 bushels of apples, 2 8 

2 barrels of cider, 9 
2 gallons of brandy, 5 

1 bottle of vinegar, 5 

2 cheeses, 6d. per lb. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



54^ lbs. of pork, "id. per lb. 
6 candles, £0 Is. 0(Z. 

1 oz. of nutmegs, 10 
8 fowls, 1 16 

29 lbs. sugar, 8 14 

1 tea pot, 1 10 
4 gallons of rum, 5 4 

2 bushels cranberries, 2 
1 lb. of tea, 10 
1 lb. of ginger, 2 
6 gals, molasses, 2s. 8(i. per gal. 
4 oz. of pepper, 6 

Gorham is very pleasantly loca- 
ted : its soil is of a superior quali- 
ty : it has a flourishing academy, on 
a solid foundation : it is a place of 
considerable trade, and of exten- 
sive manufactures of cotton, wool, 
leather, starch, and gunpowder. 
Gorham has produced many men of 
talents, among which were eminent 
jurists and statesmen. It is noted 
for its attachment to the principles 
of the revolution. 

From 1807 to 1834, twenty per- 
sons died in Gorham, whose aver- 
age age was 94 years. Population, 
1837,3,022. 

Goriiam, N. II., 

Coos CO., is a rough and unpro- 
ductive township lying on the north- 
erly base of the White mountains, 
and bounded E. by Shelburne, N. 
by Berlin, and W. by Randolph, 
and is 96 miles N. from Concord. 
Several streams descend from the 
mountains through this town into 
the Androscoggin. It was former- 
ly called Shelburne Addition, but 
was incorporated by its present 
name June 18, 1S36. Population 
in 1830, 111. 

Goslien, N. H., 

Sullivan co., is bounded N. by 
Newport and Wendell, E. by New- 
bury, S. by W'ashington, and W\ by 
Lempsterand Unity. It is 42 miles 
W. by N. from Concord. Croydon 
turnpike passes through Goshen. 
From Sunapee mountain, lying in 
the E. part of this town, spring ma- 



ny small streams, which unite in 
forming Sugar river. Rand's pond 
is in the N. E. part of the town. 
The soil is particularly calculated 
for the production of giass. It was 
incorporated Dec. 27, 1791. The 
first settlement was made about the 
year 1769, by Capt. Benjamin Rand, 
William Lang, and Daniel Grindle, 
whose sufferings and haidships were 
very great. The crops of the first 
settlers were greatly injured, and 
sometimes entirely destroyed by 
early frosts. In such cases they 
procured grain from Walpole and 
other places. At a certain time of 
scarcity, Capt. Rand went to that 
place after grain, and being detain- 
ed by a violent snow storm, his 
family was obliged to live without 
provision for six days, during which 
time Mrs. Rand sustained one of 
his children, 5 years old, by the milk 
from her breast, having a short time 
before buried her infant child. Pop- 
ulation in 1830, 772. 

Croslien, Vt. 

Addison co. First settled, 1800. 
Population, 1830, 555. Goshen lies 
30 miles S. W. from Montpelier, 
and 15 S. E. from Middlebury. Lei- 
cester and Philadelphia rivers sup- 
ply the town with mill privileges. 
The lands along the rivers are very 
good, but in general they are too 
mountainous for profitable cultiva- 
tion. Some minerals are found in 
this town. 

Goslieii, Mass. 

Hampshire co. A mountainous 
town, 103 miles W. by N. from Bos- 
ton, and 12 N. W. from Northamp- 
ton. Some valuable minerals are 
found here, such as emei-alds, lead, 
and tin. The manufactures of Go- 
shen are small, chiefly of boots and 
shoes. The value of 3,048 fleeces 
of wool, produced in 1837, was sold 
for $4,500. Population, 1837, 560. 

Goslieu, Ct. 

Litchfield CO. First settled, I73S. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEEK. 



Incorporated, 1749. Population, 
1830, 1,734. Goshen lies (J miles 
N. from Litclifield, 42 N. N. W. 
from New Haven, and 32 W. from 
Hartford. Groat attention is paid 
in this town to the education of 
youth. Ivy mountain, in Goshen, 
is considered the most elevated point 
of land in the state ; its summit pre- 
sents an extensive and deiiirhiful 
prospect. " Goshen is the most ele- 
vated lownshijjin the state, but not 
generally mountainous ; the surface 
being undulating, affording an in- 
teresting diversity of hills and vales. 
The soil is a gravelly loam, deep, 
strong and fertile, admirably adnpt- 
ed for grazing. This is one of the 
best towns for the dairy business in 
the state. Large quantities of cheese 
are annually made, the fame of 
which is widely and justly celebrat- 
ed, and the inhabitants arc general- 
ly in prosperous circumstances. In 
neatness, in and about their dwell- 
ings, and in the appearance of gen- 
eral comfort and prosperity, they 
are not exceeded, if equalled, by 
uny town in the state." 

Gosijort, N. H. 

See Isles of Shoals. 

Grafton County, N. H. 

Haverhill and Plymouth are the 
county towns. 

This county extends from lat. 43° 
27' to 44° 22' N. It is .58 miles in 
length, and its greatest breadth is 
30 miles. It contains 328,623 acres, 
besides a large tract of ungranted 
land. It is bounded N. by the coun- 
ty of Coos, E. by Strafford, .S. by 
Merrimack, and W. by the state 
of Vermont. Grafton county is wa- 
tered by Connecticut river, on 
which are several pleasant and 
flourishing towns; by Pemigcwas- 
cet, and Lower Amonoosuck rivers, 
and by many smaller streams. — 
Squam and Newfound lakes are the 
largest collections of water. The 
former, of which a considerable 
part lies in Strafford county, has 
il 



been much celebrated for its pic- 
turesque beauties. Its numerous 
angular projections, the variety of 
its islands covered with wood, and 
the vicinity of lofty mountains, ren- 
der it an oiiject peculiarly interest- 
ing. There are numerous eleva- 
tions which come under the name 
of mountains. Those of the most 
importance arc Gardner's in Ly- 
man, Peakf'd in Bethlehem, Moose- 
liillock in Coventry, Cushman's and 
the Blue mount in Peeling, Carr's 
in Warren and Ellsworth, JMoose in 
Hanover, and Cardigan in Orange. 

A large portion of Grafton county 
is mountainous and hilly, but this 
circumstance does not prevent its 
productiveness. It presents fine 
tracts for pasturage, a large propor- 
tion of arable land, and on the I'iv- 
ers, extensive and fertile intervales. 

This county is emphatically a 
wool growing county, and there 
were, in 18.37, more than 120,000 
sheep within its borders. 

The first settlement in this county 
was made at Lebanon, and this was 
the first settlement on Connecticut 
river north of Charlestown. It was 
constituted a county, March' 19, 
1771, and received its name in 
honor of Augu.stus Henry Fitzroy, 
Duke of Grafton. Population in 
1775, 3,597; in 1790, 12,449; in 
1800, 20,171; in 1810,28,462; in 
1820, 32,989; and in 1830, 38,691. 

Grafton, N. II., 

Grafton co., is bounded N. E. by- 
Orange, S. E. by Danbury, S. W. 
by .Springfield, and N. W. by En- 
field. It is 36 miles N. W. from 
Concord, and 13 .S. E. fiora Dart- 
mouth college. It is watered by 
brandies of Smith's and Mascomy 
rivers. Heard's river, a small trib- 
utary to Smith's river, waters the 
S. E. part. There are 5 ponds. 
The largest, containing from 200 to 
300 acres, is called Grafton pond. 
Two arc named Mud ponds, 'i'hc 
surface of Grafton is very hilly, m 
some parts very mountainous ; and 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



the soil is so rocky as, in many 
places, to be unfit for cultivation. 
There are, however, some good 
tracts of land. The Grafton turn- 
])ike, leading from Andover to Or- 
tord bridge, passes through the E. 
part, and the 4th N. H. turnpike, 
from Concord to Hanover, through 
the W. part. In this town there is 
a remarkable ledge, called the Pin- 
nacle, on the S. side of which the 
ground rises by a gradual ascent to 
the summit; but on the N. side, it 
falls nearly 150 feet, within the dis- 
tance of 6 or 8 feet. Isinglass, as 
it is commonlj' called, is found in a 
state of great purity in Glass Hill 
mountain. It adheres in the form 
of lamina to rocks of white and yel- 
low quartz. The usual size of these 
lamina is about C inches square, but 
some have been founil much larger. 
It requires much labor to obtain 
this glass, which, when prepared, 
is transported to Boston, and from 
thence exported to England. It is 
found on the E. side of the moun- 
tain, which is 200 feet high. Graf- 
ton was granted Aug. 14, 1761, 
to Ephraim Sherman and others. — 
The first permanent settlement was 
made in May, 1772, by Capt. Jo- 
.sepli Hoyt, from Poplin. Capt. 
Alexander Pixley and wife were 
the second family who settled here. 
Incorporated in 1773. Population 
in 1830, 1,207. 

Grafton, Vt. 

Windham co. Grafton is finely 
watered by Sexton's river, which is 
formed in the town by the union of 
several streams ; and by a branch 
of Williams' river. On these streams 
are manufactures of woolen and 
other goods. Soap-stone of an ex- 
cellent quality is very abundant in 
this place. It is manufactured by 
water power for various uses to a 
great extent : it is bored for aque- 
ducts and sold at a very low price. 
This town contains two pleasant 
and tlouiisliing villages, and a great 



variety of mineral treasure. Its 
surface is uneven with a strong and 
productive soil. Grafton was first 
settled, 1780. Population, 1830, 
1,439. It lies 90 miles S. from 
Montpelier, and 18 N. from New- 
fane. 

Grafton, Mass. 

Worcester co. This important 
manufacturing town, the Hassana- 
misco of the Indians, was incorpo- 
rated in 1735. It lies 36 miles S. 
W. by W. from Boston, and 9 S. E. 
from Worcester. Population, 1830, 
1,8S9; 1837,2,910. Blackstone riv- 
er and several large ponds give tliis 
town a constant and valuable water 
power. There are 5 cotton and 1 
woolen mills. The total amount of 
the manufactures of Grafton, the year 
ending April 1, 1837, was $1,052, 
448. The manufactures consisted 
of cotton and woolen goods, boots, 
shoes, leather, scythes, chairs, tin, 
cabinet and wooden wares, shoe 
tools and bricks. The manufac- 
ture of boots and shoes amounted 
to $614,141, employing 1,392 males 
and females. Grafton has a fine 
soil, is beautifully located, and ex- 
ceedingly flourishing. 

Granby, Vt. 

Essex CO. This town is nearly 
allied to Ferdinand , both in loca- 
tion and the character of the soil. 
Granby lies the next town S. of it, 
and 97 people, it is said, reside with- 
in the limits of Granby. 

Granljy, Mass. 

Hampshire co. This town lies 
90 miles W. by S. from Boston, and 
9 S. E. from Northampton. Incor- 
porated, 1768. It has good fish 
ponds and two small streams. There 
are two woolen mills in the town 
and 2,067 sheep. The wool, in 
1837, sold for $3,670. Population, 
1837, 922. It is said that copper 
ore of a good quality is found in 
Granbj'. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEEU. 



Grauby, Ct. 

Hartford co. This town was in- 
corporated in 1786, and was that 
part of Sitnsbury whicli contains 
the famous Siiiisbury niincs ; the old 
state prison of Connecticut. The 
cavern, once occupied as a prison, 
is now worked, as formerly, as a 
copper mine. This odious place, 
unfit for the residence of the worst 
of criminals, is 16 miles N. N. 
W. from Hartford. The pit or cav- 
ern is more than 50 feet in depth, 
dark, damp and dismal. The worst 
stigma that can be cast on the good 
people of Connecticut is, that this 
infernal region was suffered to re- 
main nearly 40 years the abode 
of their fellow beings. There are 
some hills in Granby of considera- 
ble elevation. Bat-n Jour hills rise 
between four and five hundred feet, 
and have the appearanec of having 
been separated by some convulsion 
of nature. Turkey hills and Sal- 
mon brook are pleasant villages, and 
have the appearance of prosperity. 
Farmington river waters the for- 
mer, and a branch of that river, the 
latter. Population, 1830, 2,722. 

Graud Isle Couuty, Vt. 

JS'orth Hero is the county town. 
This county comprises a group of 
islands in Lake Champlain, and a 
point of land jutting into the N. 
part of that lake on the S. side of 
the Canada line, on which Alburgh 
is situated. This county contains 
about 80 square miles : most of the 
land is level and e.vcellent for graz- 
ing and tillage. This county has 
no considerable streams, but its nav- 
igable facilities are very great. It 
was first settled about the close of 
the revolutionary war. Incorpora- 
ted, 1802. It contained, in 1837, 
about 16,000 sheep. Population, 
1820,3,527; 1830,3,696. Popula- 
tion to a square mile, 46. 

Grana Isle, Vt. 

Grand Isle co. This town is 



bounded on all sides by Lake Cham- 
plain except on the S., where it is 
bounded by .Soutli Heio, from which 
it was taken in 1809. It lies 50 
miles N. W. from Montpelier, and 
18 N. by W. from Burlington. — 
First settled, 1783. Population, 
1830, 643. The soil of the town is 
very fertile; it produces fine crops 
of grain and an abundance of fruit 
and cider. Marble, lime-stone, rock 
crystals. Sec, are found here, and 
Grand Isle contains the only water 
mill in the county. This is a fine 
place for fishing and fowling. 

Grand Lake. 

This is a large collection of wa- 
ter, lying partly in the county of 
Washington, Me., and partly in 
New lirunswick. It contains a large 
number of islands: it receives the 
waters of many small lakes and 
rivers, and is tlie chief source of the 
river St. Croix. It lies about 90 
miles N. E. from Bangor, 

Grautliam, 9>. H., 

Sullivan co., is bounded N. by 
Enfield, E. by Springfield, S. by 
Croydon, and W. t)y Plainiield, 
which separates it from Connecticut 
river. It is 12 miles S. E. from 
Dartmouth college, and 45 N. W. 
from Concord. There are 7 or 8 
ponds, the largest of which lies in 
the S. E. part of the town and is 
called Eastman's pond, containing 
nearly 300 acres. Another, lying 
near the centre of the town, con- 
tains nearly 200 acres. Croydon 
mountain extends through the west- 
erly part of Grantham in a direc- 
tion from S. W. to N. E. The soil 
is productive, especially on the W. 
of the mountain. It seems to be 
more favorable for wheat than any 
other species of grain. The moun- 
tain afibrds good pasturage, and the 
lower land yields grass in abund- 
ance. On the E. side of the moun- 
tain is a spring supposed to possess 
medicinal qualities, visited by hun- 
dreds of valetudinarians in the sum» 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



mer season. On the summit of 
Croydon mountain is a natural pond, 
containing about 50 acres. This 
town was first granted July 11, 
1761, but the proprietors not fulfill- 
ing the conditions of the chaiter, it 
was forfeited. In 1767, it was re- 
granted to Col. William Symmes and 
63 others, by the name of Gran- 
tham. Incorporated in 1761. Pop- 
ulation, in 1830, 1,679. 

Granville, Vt. 

Addison co. See Barnard, Me. 

Granville, Mass. 

Hampden co. This is a moun- 
tainous township, 110 miles W. S. 
W. from Boston, and 14 S. from 
Springfield. It contains good soap- 
stone and 1,500 sheep. The wool 
sold in 1837 for $2,572. There are 
some manufactures in Granville of 
pocket books, boots, shoes, leather, 
and silver ware. Although the 
land is high, the soil in many parts 
is very good and productive. The 
village is very pleasant. Incorpora- 
ted, 1754. Population, 1837,1,439. 

Gray, Me. 

Cumberland co. This is a fine farm- 
ing town, waterqd by branches of 
North Yarmouth and Presumpscot 
rivers, and containing a large psrt of 
Little Sebago pond. It lies 17 miles 
N. by \f . from Portland and 44 S. 
W. from Augusta. Incorporated, 
1778. Population, 1837, 1,671. 
Gray is a pleasant town and a place 
of considerable trade and some man- 
ufactures. 

Gi-eat Earrington, Blass. 

Berkshire co. A very pleasant 
town in the valley of Housatonick 
river, 125 miles W. by S. from Bos- 
ton, and 14 S. from Lenox. Incor- 
porated, 1761. Population, 1837, 
2,440. Monument mountain, in 
this town, is quite lofty : it ])resents 
some wild and picturesque scenery. 
Here are good iron ore, beautifully 



variegated marble, and a good mill 
stream. The soil on the banks of 
the Housatonick is fertile and the 
uplands are well adapted for graz- 
ing. Tlie manufactures consist of 
cotton and woolen goods, boots, 
shoes, leather, hats, pig iron, lasts, 
tin ware, bevils and guages. To- 
tal amount of manufactures in one 
year, $122,369. This town the 
same year (1837) produced 2,657 
fleeces of merino wool, valued at 
$3,321. 

Great-Bays, W. H. 

The largest is that lying E. from 
New Market, formed by the united 
waters of Swamscot, Winnicut, and 
Lamprey rivers. It is 4 miles wide, 
and at some seasons is picturesque 
as connected with the surrounding 
scenery. This bay has Newington 
on the E., Greenlaml and Stratham 
on the S., and New Maiket and 
Durham W. : its waters pass N. E. 
through Little bay, where Oyster 
river unites with the current which 
passes into the Piscataqua. 

Great-Bay, between Sanbornton 
and Meredith, is a body of wa- 
ter, connected with Winnepisiogee 
lake, and discharging its waters in- 
to Winnepisiogee river. Bound and 
Long bays are situated between the 
lake and tjieat Bay, and there are 
two small bays on the river below 

Great Island, N. II. 

Sec JVew Castle. 
Great Wor&s Stream, Me. 

This stream has a number of trib- 
utaries, and is an important branch 
of the Penobscot. P. has many sites 
for mills, and falls into the Penob- 
scot, on the E. side, opposite to the 
Indian settlement at Oldtown. At 
its confluence with the Penobscot 
there is a considerable village. 

There is another stream of this 
name, which rises in York county, 
and passes to Salmon Fall river, at 
South Berwick. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



Greene, Ale. 

Kennebec CO. Greene has several 
ponds, but no good mill privileges. 
It lies on the E. side of Androscog- 
gin river, 6 miles above Lewiston, 
and 22 S. W. from Augusta. It is 
an excellent farming town, and 
produced, in 1S37, 3,278 bushels of 
wheat. Incorporated, 17SS. Pop- 
ulation, 1837, 1,366. 

Grecnbusli, Me. 

Penobscot co. This territory was 
called the Olammon Plantation, 
until its incorporation in 1S34. — 
Olammon stream, one of the most 
beautiful ti-ibutaries of the Penob- 
scot, joins that river, on the E. side, 
in Greenbush, affording an exten- 
sive hydraulic power. Greenbush 
is a flourisliing place, and lies about 
23 miles N. by E. from Bangor. 
Population, 1S30, 333; 1837, C66. 

Greenfield, Me. 

Hancock co. This town was in- 
corporated in 1834. It was No. 38 
on the Bingham Purchase. Sec 
" Down East." 

Greenfield, N. H., 

Hillsborough co., is bounded N. 
by Franccstown and Society-Land, 
K. by Francestovvn and Lyndcbo- 
rough, S. by Lyndchorough and 
Temple, and W. by Peterborough 
and Hancock. It is 14 miles \V. 
N. W. from Amherst, and 3S S. W. 
from Conconl. Contoocook river 
forms part of the W. boundaiy, and 
separates this town fiom Hancock. 
The soil is generally fertile. The 
hills afford excellent pasturage ; the 
valleys and plains are favorable foi- 
grain. Hops are raised in great 
abundance. A part of Crotched 
mountain rises from the N. part, 
and part of Lyndeborough mountain 
from the S. and E. sections of this 
town. There are some valuable 
meadows ; in one of them have 
been found many Indian relics, from 
which it is conjectured that it was 

14* 



a favorite spot of the sons of the 
forest. There are five ponds ; the 
largest about one mile in length, 
and one third of its length in width. 
The first settlement commenced in 
1771, by Capt. Alexander Park- 
er, Major A. Whittemore, Simeon 
Fletcher, and others. It was incor- 
porated June 15, 1791. Population, 
in 1830, 946. 

Greenfield, Mass. 

County town, Franklin co. This 
town lies on the W. side of Connec- 
ticut river, and is washed by Green 
river, an excellent mill stream, a 
branch of the Deerfield. The vil- 
lage is situated about 2 miles from 
Connecticut river, and is very beau- 
tiful and flourishing. There is a 
woolen mill in (irecnfield with four 
sets of machinery; and manufac- 
tures of boots, shoes, leather, hats, 
iron castings, chairs, cabinet and 
tin wares, saddles, liarnesses, trunks, 
stove and lead aqueduct pipe, iron 
work, guns, pistols, rifles, coach- 
es, wagons, books, &c. Tlie total 
amount of manufactures, for the 
year ending April 1, 1837, waa 
.$164,844. The value of wool, the 
product of 2,153 fleeces, sheared in 
1837, was $3,404. There is an 
academy for young ladies in this 
town, a farming school for young 
men, and some iron and copper ores. 
Greenfield lies 95 n)iles W. by N. 
from Boston, and 22 N. from North- 
ampton. Incorporated, 1753. Pop- 
ulation, 1S30, 1,540; 1837, 1,840 

Greenland, A'. H., 

Rockingham co., is situated five 
miles W.S.W. from Portsmouth,and 
45 E.S.E. from Concord : it is bound- 
ed N. by the Great-Bay and New- 
ington. E. by Portsmouth and Rye, 
S. by Nortli-Ilampton, and W. by 
Stratham. The soil is remarkably 
good. The orchards and gardens 
of this town are valuable, and yield 
annual profits to the farmers. — 
Greenland, originally a part of Ports- 
mouth, was incorporated as a di$- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



tinct town in 1703. Settlements 
commenced early, and in 1705 there 
were 320 inhabitants. 

Rev. Samuel M'Clintock, 
D. D., who died in the 48th year 
of his ministry, was born at Med- 
ford, Mass., May 1, 1732; gradua- 
ted at the New Jersey college in 
17.51; ordained in 1756; and died 
April 27, 1804, aged 72. His fa- 
ther was a native of Ireland. Dr. 
M'Clintock was a sound divine, em- 
inent as a preacher, and distinguish- 
ed for his attachment to the cause 
of his country. He served as a 
chaplain in the army of the revolu- 
tion. Population jn 1S30, 631. 

Green Mountains. 

This range of mountains rises in 
Lower Canada. They pass nearly 
through the centre of Vermont, 
from N. to S., and the westerly 
parts of the states of Massachusetts 
and Connecticut, and terminate near 
New Haven, on Long Island Sound. 
From their green appearance they 
give the name to Vermont, and de- 
crease in height as they approach 
the south. The north peak, in Mans- 
field, Vt., is the greatest elevation, 
being 4,279 feet above the surface 
of lake Champlain. 

Green Rivers. 

Green, or Quodotchcpioik river, 
in the N. E. part of Penobscot coun- 
ty, Maine^ is an important branch 
of the St. John's, and joins that riv- 
er about 24 miles W. from the line 
of New Brunswick. 

Green river, in Massac.hv setts, 
rises in the high lands at the N. W. 
corner of Berkshire county ; it pas- 
ses N. W. through Wiirumislov^n, 
and the S. W. corner of Vermont, 
and joins the Iloo^ick in N. Y. 

There are several smaller streams 
in New England of the same name. 

Greensli>orougli, Vt. 

Orleans CO. William Scott Shep- 
ard, born March 25, 1789, was the 
first white child brought forth in 



this town. For his good fortune in 
this respect, the proprietors of the 
township gave him 100 acres of 
land. " Beautiful lake " and seve- 
ral other lakes and ponds in this 
town, form a part of the head wa- 
ters of the river Lamoille. This 
town is well timbered : the sur- 
face is not very elevated ; the soil 
in general is good, particularly for 
grazing. It produces some line cat- 
tle, and keeps about 4,000 sheep. 
Population, 1830, 7S4. 

Greenville, Me. 

Somerset co. The " Haskell 
Plantation," incorporated in 1836. 
109 miles from Augusta. Popula- 
tion, 1837, 132. Se'e " Down East." 

Greenwich, Mass. 

Hampshire co. There are a num- 
ber of ponds in this town, by which, 
and Swift river passing through it, 
a good water power is acquired. 
There is a woolen mill in the town, 
and manufactures of shoes, boots, 
palm-leaf hats, and scythes. In- 
corporated, 1754. Population, 1837, 
842. Greenwich lies 75 miles W. 
from Boston, and 17 N. E. from 
Northampton. 

Green'wicli, Ct. 

Fairfield co. The settlement of 
this town commenced in 1640, and 
was incorporated by Stuyvesant, 
the Dutch governor at New York, 
in 1665. Greenwich comprisesthree 
parishes or villages, — West Green- 
wich, Greenwich on the E. and 
Stanv.ich on the N. Vt'est Green- 
wich, on Horse JVcck, so called 
from a peninsula on the Sound for- 
merly used as a horse pasture, is the 
largest and most important part of 
the town. Greenwich is watered 
by By ran river, the boundary line 
between the town and state of New 
York, and the most southern part of 
New England. At the outlet of 
Byran river, on the New York side, 
is a place called Sawpits, a noted 
landing place on the Sound, 28 milea 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



N. E Irom New York. Miannus 
creek and other smaller streams 
water the town. 

A great battle took place between 
the IJutch and Indians at Horse 
Neck, in 1646. The action was 
long and severe, both parties light- 
ing with much obsiinacy. The 
Dutch with much ditficiilty kept 
the field, and the Indians with- 
drew. Great numbers were slain 
on both sides, and the graves of" the 
dead, for a century or more, ap])ear- 
ed like a number of small hills. 

'• Putnam's Hill is situated in 
West Greenwich, about live miles 
W. from Stamford, on the main road 
to New York. This place is cele- 
brated tor the daring exploit of Gen- 
eral Putnam, who descended this 
precipice when pursued bj' the Brit- 
ish dragoons." 

Greenwich is a rough and uneven 
township, with a pi-oductive soil. 
It presents some wild scenery along 
the road, and many beautiful views 
of Long Island Sound. It lies 4S 
miles W. S. W. from New Haven, 
and 20 W. S. W. from Fairfield. 
Populatiou, 1830, 3,805. 

Crreen'wood, Me. 

Oxford CO. Incorporated, 1815. 
Population, 1837, 754. It lies 58 
miles W. by S. from Augusta, and 
7 N. W. from Paris. This is a 
township of excellent land. The 
inhabitants are generally engaged 
in agricultural pursuits. 

Gris^vold, Ct. 

New London co. This town 
was taken from Preston in 1815, 
and is separated from Lisbon bj' 
Quennebaugh river. The Pochaug, 
a sluggish stream, passes through 
the town. The principal village, 
which is very neat and pretty, con- 
taining about 900 inhabitants, is 
called Jewett City. The city lies 
on the east side of the Qucnnebaug, 
at this place a very powerful stream, 
and contains three extensive cotton 
factories, a church, bank, and a 



number of handsome huildings. — 
This little city is said to be very 
prosperous in its manuficturing and 
commercial concerns. It lies 8 
miles N. E. from Norwich, and 46 
K. S. K. from Hartford. There are 
other manufactories of cotton in 
this town, and some of wool. The 
surface of Griswold is hilly ; its soil 
a gravelly loam : some produce is 
sent to market, and about 3,000 
sheep arc kept. Populatiou, 1830, 
2,212. 

Grotoii, N. H., 

Grafion co., is bound N.byRum- 
ney, E. by Hebron, S. by Orange, 
and W. by Dorchester. It is 10 
miles S. \V. from Plymouth, 45 N. 
W. fi-om Concord, and 15 S. E. from 
Hanover. The north part is wa- 
tered by a branch of Baker's river, 
and the southerly part has sev- 
eral small streams, which fall into 
Newfound lake. There is but one 
pond of any consequence lying whol- 
ly in this town, and that is situated 
about a mile N. E. of the meeting- 
house. Groton was granted July 
8, 1761, to George Abbot and others 
by the name of Cockertnouth. It 
was re-granted, about five years af- 
terwards, to Col. John Hale and oth- 
ers, and the first settlement was 
cominenced in 1770. Incorporated 
by the name of Groton, Dec. 1796. 
Population, in 1830, 689. 

Groton, Vt. 

Caledonia co. First settled, 1787. 
Wells river and its branches afford 
this town a good water power. — 
There are a number of ponds in 
(iroton, well stored with excellent 
fish, some of which are large and 
handsome. The soil of the town is 
generally hard, but there is some 
choice land along the streams, and 
good timber. 

The wife of a Mr. Page, of this 
town, in the year 1819, produced 
four lusty " green mountain boys" 
at a birth. When domestic manu- 
factures of this description and 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



amount, are adduced as evidence 
of the prosperity of a town, it is 
useless to talk about water power, 
cotton factories, or wool growing. 

Groton lies 16 miles E. by S. from 
Montpelier, and 15 S. by W. from 
Danville. Population, 1830, 836. 

Groton, Mass. 

Middlesex co. This is a delight- 
ful town, with an extraordinary good 
soil; 32 miles N. VV. from Boston, 
and 13 W. by S. from Lowell. 

Groton was settled soon after 
Concord. It was for some years a 
frontier settlement, and much ex- 
posed to the Indians. In 167S, the 
town was attacked by 400 Indians, 
and all the buildings plundered and 
burnt, except four garrison houses. 

The town is finely watered by 
the Nashua and Squanecook rivers 
and a number of beautiful ponds. 
The buildings are in a style of 
great neatness and taste, and some 
of elegance. This town has a fe- 
male seminary of high reputation, 
and a number of moral and reli- 
gious institutions. The local beau- 
ties of Groton and its facilities for 
education are so great as to induce 
many wealthy families to made it 
their residence. The raanufactui-es 
of Groton consist of paper, axle- 
trees, soap-stone pumps, mathemat- 
ical instruments, clothing, palm- 
leaf hats, chairs, cabinet ware, 
leather, boots and shoes. Incor- 
porated, 1655. Population, 1830, 
2,057. 

Groton, Ct. 

New London co. Groton lies at 
the mouth of the river Thames, in 
the harbor of New London, and op- 
posite to that city, on the E. The 
lands are generally hilly and rocky, 
with some fertile tracts on the mar- 
gin of the Thames. There are sev- 
eral villages, Groton Bank, oppo- 
site New London, Portersville, on 
Mystic river, and Pequonnuck. 
The Pequonnuck and Mystic riv- 
ers pass through the town, and emp- 



ty into Long Island Sound. A num- 
ber of whale ships and coasting ves- 
sels are owned in this town. This 
is a place of some trade, and consid- 
erable quantities of the produce of 
the county is shipped to New York 
market. Ship building is carried 
on to a conjiderable extent, on 
the Mystic, which is navigable for 
large vessels about two miles from 
the Sound. About 300 men and 
boys are employed in navigation. 

Previous to its incorporation, in 
1705, Groton was a part of New- 
London. Population, 1S30, 4,705. 

"Groton will ever be memora- 
ble as the theatre of the most im- 
portant and interesting military 
transactions which have taken place 
in the state. In the early settle- 
ment of the country, the fate of 
Connecticut was decided by the 
sword on Pequot hill, within the 
limits of this town, and the Pequots, 
the most haughty and warlike tribe 
of savages in New England, effec- 
tually crushed by a single blow, 
and their existence as a nation an- 
nihilated. In the war of the revo- 
lution, another of the ' high places 
of Groton became an Aceldama', 
and the flower of her sons were sa- 
crificed to the vengeance of an in- 
furiated enemy. 

" On the 6th of September, 1781, 
a body of British troops, about 800 
in number, under the command 
of Lieut. Col. Eyre, landed on tho 
Groton side, opposite the light- 
house, and having found a lame boy 
collecting cattle, compelled him to 
show them the cart path to the fort. 
They landed about 9 o'clock in the 
morning of a most delightful day, 
clear and still. Fort Giiswold was 
under the command of Lieut. Col. 
William Ledyard, brother of the 
celebrated traveller of the same 
name. lie resided on Groton bank, 
opposite New London, and waa 
much beloved and respected by his 
neighbors. On the advance of the 
enemy. Col. Ledyard, having but 
about 150 men with him in the fort. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEEU. 



sent out an officer to s;ct assistance, 
as there were a number of hundreds 
of people collected in the vicinity : 
this officer, by drinking too much, 
became intoxicated, and no rein- 
forcement was obtained. On the 
rejection of a summons to surren- 
der, the British extended their lines, 
80 that they were scattered over the 
lields, and rushed on to the attack 
with trailed arms, under the lire of 
the Americans, to the assault of 
the fort on three sides. Having 
effected a lodgment in the ditch, 
they cut away the pickets, and hav- 
ing scaling ladders, they entered 
tlie fort and knocked away the gate 
on the inside. While the British 
were in the ditch, they had cold 
shot thrown on them, and as they 
were entering the embrazures, the 
garrison changed their W'Capons and 
fought desperately with spears or 
pikes, 15 or 16 feel in length, which 
did considerable execution. Unfor- 
tunately they liad lent the greater 
part of the pikes belonging to the 
fort to a privateer a few days before. 
Major Montgomery was hoisted up 
on the walls of the fort by his sol- 
diers. As he was flourishing his 
sword on his entrance, he was mor- 
tally wounded by Jordan Freeman, 
a colored man, who pierced him 
through with a spear. Another of- 
ficer was killed by a musket ball, 
while in the fort. As he foil, he ex- 
claimed : ' Put every one to death, 
don't spare one.'' Col. Ledyard, 
finding further resistance useless, 
presented his sword to an officer, 
who asked him who commanded the 
fort. ' I did,' said Col. Ledyard, 
' but you do now.' The officer 
(Ca|)t. Bloomfield) took his sword 
and plunged it into his bosom. Col. 
Ledyard fell on his face and instant- 
ly expired. An indisciiminate mas- 
sacre now took place, till a British 
officer exclaimed : ' My soul can- 
not bear sucli destruction,' and or- 
dered a parley to be beat. Such 
had been the butchery in the fort, 
that it wa3 over shoes in blood in 



some parts of the parade ground. 
Soon after the suricnder, a wagoD 
was loaded with wounded Ameri- 
cans, and set off down the hill; it 
struck an a])i)Ie tree with greatforee, 
and knocked several of these bleed- 
ing men out, and caused their in- 
stant death. One of these distress- 
ed men having been thrown ouc of 
the wagon, and while crawling to- 
wards the fence on his hands and 
knees, was brutally knocked on the 
head by the butt end of a musket, 
by one of the refugees who were 
atlaclied to the British army. The 
British embarked at the foot of the 
hill, near the ierrjs and took off a 
number of prisoners with them. 
As they left the fort, they set tire 
to a train, intending to blow up the 
magazine, in which were about 100 
barrels of powder. Fortunately it 
was extinguished by our people, 
who entered the fort soon afler the 
enemy left it. It is stated that the 
enemy lost in (he attack on the fort 
54 killed and 143 wounded, several 
of whom aftci'wards died of their 
wounds. The killed of the enemy 
wei-c buried by their comrades at 
the gate of the foi-t, and were so 
slightly covered that many of their 
legs and arms remained above 
ground. Our people who were kill- 
ed at the fort, were stripped, and so 
disligurcd, covered with blood and 
dust, that with the exception of 
(wo or three, they co=ld not be re- 
cognized by their friends, except 
by some particular marks on their 
persons." 

Themonument onGroton Heights, 
in commemoration of the destruction 
of Groton and NCw London l)y the 
traitor Arnold, " has its foundation 
stone at an elevation of about 130 
feet above tide water : the monu- 
ment itself is one hundred and twen- 
ty seven feet in height. The pe- 
destal rises about eighteen or twen- 
ty feet, and is twenty three feet 
square : on the pedestal rises an 
obelisk square, ninety two feet in 
height, twenty two feet square at its 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



base, and eleven feet at the top. 
It is! ascended by one hundred and 
sixty five stone steps, inserted into 
the outer wall, rising in a circular 
form, their inner ends supported by 
an iron rail and bannister. The mon- 
ument is constructed of granite, of 
vphich there is an abundance in the 
vicinity. The expense of its erec- 
tion was eleven thousand dollars ; 
this amount was raised by a lottery, 
granted by the state for this pur- 
pose. 

The following is the inscription, 
on marble, placed over the entrance 
of the monument. 

"This Monument 
was erected under the patronage 
of the 
State of Connecticut, 
A. D. 1830, 
and in the 55th year of the Independ- 
ence of the U. S. A. 
In memory of the brave Patriots 

who fell 

in the massacre at Fort Griswold, 

near this spot, 

on the Gth of September, A. D. 1781, 

when the 

British, under the command 

of the traitor, Benedict Arnold, 

burnt the towns of 

New London and Groton, 

and spread desolation and woe 

throughout this region." 

Guildhall, Vt. 

County town of Essex co. Guild- 
hall is situated on the TV. side of 
Connecticut river, and is united to 
Lancaster, N. H., by two bridges 
across the river. The town is wa- 
tered by several small streams. — 
The soil of the town is quite uneven 
and stony, except a tract of inter- 
vale on the river. Cow and Burn- 
side mountains are considerable ele- 
vations, and afford excellent views 
of the meanderings of the Connec- 
ticut. Guildhall lies 50 miles N. 
E. from Montpelier, and 90 N. by 
E. from Windsor. First settled, 
1789. Population, 1830, 481. 



Guilford, Me. 

Piscataquis CO. This town is fine- 
ly watered by the Piscataquis and 
some of its upper branches. It ia 
of fine soil, and produced in 1837, 
4,965 bushels of wheat. It has a 
pleasant village, a number of mills, 
and considerable trade. Guilford 
is 71 miles N. by E. from Augusta, 
45 N. W. from Bangor, and 12 N. 
W. from Dover. Incorporated, 1816. 
Population, 1837, 799. 

Guilford, Vt. 

Windham co. This town was first 
permanently settled in 1760. It lies 
125 miles S. from Montpelier, 15 
S. by E. from Newfane, and 30 E. 
from Bennington. Population, 1830, 
1,760. The people of this town 
took an active part in defending the 
rights of Vermont against the claims 
of jurisdiction set up by the state 
of New York, about the years 
1783-4. Guilford produced a num- 
ber of patriots in this as also in the 
revolutionary cause. The soil of 
the town is warm and fertile, ex- 
ceedingly productive of grain, fruits, 
maple sugar, butter, cheese, pork, 
sheep, horses, and beef cattle. It 
has good mill seats on Green river 
and branches of Broad brook, a 
number of manufactories, a medi- 
cinal spring, and various kinds of 
minerals. 

GuUford, Ct. 

New Haven co. This town, the 
Menunkatvc of the Indians, was 
first settled in 1639. The town was 
settled by a party of Non-Conform- 
ists from England, at the head of 
which was the Rev. Henry Whit- 
field. Mr. Whitfield's house, built 
of stone, in 1640, is now standing, 
occupied, and in good repair. The 
cement used in building it, is said 
to be harder than the stone itself. 
This building was used by the first 
settlers as a fort and place of refuge 
against the attacks of the natives. 



NE«' ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



The first inarriag;e in the town was I 
solemnized in this builiiin<^. The 
treat on the occasion was pork and 
peas. Guilford borough was incor- 
porated in 1815. It is liandsomoly 
located two miles from Lonsj; Island 
Sound, on a tract of alluvial plain, 
and near a small stream called the 
Menunkatuc. The buiklin?-j In the 
horough are neat, but somewhat 
antiquated in their appearance. — 
Guilford is a place of resort for sea 
air and bathing. The accommoda- 
tion's are very 2;ood. The scenery 
in the vicinity of Sachem's Head 
is wild and picturesque. The soil 
of Guilford is well adapteil to agri- 
cultural pursuits, to which, and some 
coasting trade, the principal part of 
the inhabitants are devoted. It lies 
16 miles E. from New Haven, and 
36 S. from Hartford. Population, 
1830, 2,344. 

Haddam, Ct. 

One of the. county towns of Mid- 
dlesex co. Incorporated, 166S. This 
town lies on both sides of Connec- 
ticut river. Haddam Societj% on 
the \V. side, is the largest part of 
the town, and the seat of justice. 
That part of Haddam on the E. side 
is railed Haddam Neck. There 
is but little alluvial land in Had- 
dam. The principal part of the 
township is hilly and stony, with 
considerable forests. There are 
valuable quarries of granite on both 
sides of the river. About 150 men 
are annually employed in (juarry- 
ing it, and about .^70.000 worth of 
stone is annually exported. There 
are many vessels built at Haddam. 
The timber in this quarter of the 
county is well adapted for that pur- 
pose. The village of Haddam is 
pleasant, and has a good pro-pect 
of the river. It lies 23 miles S. 
from Hartford, and 8 S. E. from 
Middletown. Population, 1830, 2,- 
830. 

David Brainerd, the devoted 
missionary among the Indians, first 
drew his breath in Haddam. 



" If the greatness of a character 
is to be estimated by the object it 
pursues, the danger it braves, the 
difficulties it encounters, and the 
purity and energy of its motives, 
David Brainerd is one of the great- 
est characters that ever appeared 
in the world. Compared with this 
standard of greatness, what little 
things are the Alexanders, the Cae- 
sars, the conquerors of the whole 
earth. A nobk>r object no human 
or angelic mind could ever propose 
to itself than to promote the glory 
of the great Govei-nor of the Uni- 
verse, in studying and laboring to 
diffuse purity and happiness among 
his unholy and miserable creatures. 

" ' His life and diary among the 
Indians,' says a celebrated English 
divine, ' exhibits a perfect pattern 
of the qualities which should dis- 
tinguish tlie instructor of rude and 
barbarous tribes; the most invinci- 
ble patience and self denial, the 
profoundest humility, exquisite pru- 
dence, indefatigable intlustry, and 
such a devotedness to God, or rath- 
er such an absorption of the whole 
soul in zeal for the divine glory 
and the salvation of men, as is 
scarcely paralleled since the age of 
the apostles.' " 

This faithful servant of Christ 
died at the house of the Rev. Jona- 
than Edwards, at Northampton, 
Mass., October 10, 1747, aged 30. 

Hadley, 3IaS9. 

Hampshire co. This is a plea- 
sant town on the E. bank of Con- 
necticut river, and unites with 
Northampton by a beautiful bridge, 
1,0S0 feet in length. It was first 
settled in 1647. Incorporated, 1661. 
Population, 1837, 1,805. It lies 88 
miles W. from Boston. Two small 
streams adord the town some water 
power. Hadley contains a large and 
fertile tract of alluvial meadow. 
The village, situated on the river, 
is pleasant, anil contains many neat 
and valual)le buildings. 

Hadley was a retreat of the cclc- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



brated Gofie and Whalley, two of 
the judges who condemned Charles 
I. for execution. They remained 
secluded here more than fifteen 
years, when Whalley died. Goffe 
died and was buried at New Ha- 
ven, Ct., some years after. 

The manufactures of Hadley con- 
sist of leather, boots, shoes, hats, 
glue, palm-leaf hats, wire, chairs, 
cabinet ware, brooms, and brushes. 
Total value the year ending; April 
1, 1837, $117,850. This town is 
celebrated for raising broom corn. 
The value of brooms manufactured 
was $39,248. A considerable quan- 
tity of the unmanufactured materi- 
al was sent to other places. 

Halifax, Vt. 

Windham co. This town'ship is 
rather elevated, but of good soil, 
finely adapted for grazing. It is 
a place of considerable trade, and 
of manufactures on its numerous 
streams. Its principal streams are 
Green river and a branch of the 
Deerfield. There are some hand- 
some falls of water in Halifax, and 
a curious cave called Dun's Den. 
The productions of the town are 
butter, cheese, pork, sheep and oth- 
er cattle. The cause of education 
flourishes here, and the people arc 
generally independent cultivators 
of the soil. Halifax lies 125 miles 
S. from Montpelier, and 15 S. from 
Newfane. First settled, 1761.— 
Population, 1830, 1,562. 

Halifax, Mass. 

Plymouth co. The Indian name 
of this place was Monponset. It 
lies 28 miles S. S. E. from Boston, 
and 12 W. by S. from Plymouth. 
The surface of the town is gener- 
ally level, with considerable good 
Koil. ilonponsct and other ponds 
are large collections of water, and 
the sources of valuable mill privi- 
leges. There are a cotton and wool- 
en mill in the town, and manufac- 
tures of shoes and straw braid ;^- 
total annual amount of manufactures 



about .$150,000. Halifax was in- 
corporated in 1734. Population, 

1837, 7S1. 

Ilallowell, Me. 

Kennebec co. Hallowell is de- 
lightfully situated on both sides of 
Kennebec river, between Augusta 
and Gardiner, two miles below the 
former and four miles above the lat- 
ter. The principal village is on the 
W. side of the river. The streets 
run parallel with the river, and the 
ground ascends 200 feet from the 
lower street, or business part of the 
village. On this street are 60 com- 
modious stores, constructed princi- 
pally of lirick. Most of the dwell- 
ing houses are on the back or ele- 
vated streets : they are built, as are 
the churches, with great taste, and 
being suri-ounded by beautiful 
groves, make a fine appearance. 
The varied views of the river, the 
neighboring towns, and of a fer- 
tile country of hills and vales, pre- 
sented from the high grounds on 
each side of the village, form an ex- 
hibition of scenery of uncommon 
excellence. Hallowell is about 3 
miles in width, and extends back on 
each side of the river 5 miles. It 
was incorporated in 1771, and in- 
cluded all the territory of Augusta 
and a part of Gardiner. From this 
place the brave but traitorous Ar- 
nold marched on an expedition 
against Canada, in 1776. 

There is one water mill in the 
town ; two saw mills, an iron foun- 
dry and machine shop, worked by 
steam. Steam boats piy from thi» 
place to Portland and Boston, dur- 
ing the season of navigation. There 
is considerable tonnage at this place: 
a number of vessels are engaged in 
the freighting business, and others 
run as packets to various places. 

The principal exports are lumber, 
granite, and all the common pro- 
ductions of a fertile northern cli- 
mate. The granite quarries at 
Hallowell have been worked for 
fifteen years with great success. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



The granite is of a light color and 
easily wrought: in some years 
$100,000 worth of it has been trans- 
ported. Vessels drawing 9 feet of 
water can come to the wharves in 
the centre of the village. 

As Ilallowell and Augusta are 
so closely united in all tlieir vari- 
ous intercuts and pursuits, a repeti- 
tion of what we have said of the 
favorable position of Augusta, and 
of its future j)rospects, is unneces- 
sary. With common success in our 
national affairs, and with a contin- 
uation of that spii'it of enterpi-ize, 
every day manifested on the banks 
of the Kennebec, it requires no 
Mormon spectacles to foresee that 
within a very few years there will 
lie a continuous village from the 
Kennebec dam to the mouth of the 
Cobbessecontee. Population. 1820, 
2,919 ; 1830, 3,964. The present 
popuhition is about 5,000. 

Hallowell was, for many years, 
the residence of Ben-jamijv Vaug- 
HAJV, LL. D. a gentleman highly 
distinguished for his learning, pub- 
lic benefactions and private virtues. 

Hall's Stream, TH. II., 

Rises in the highlands which sep- 
arate that state from the Biitish do- 
minions, and forms the N. W. boun- 
dary between New Hampshire and 
Lower Canada, from its source to 
its junction with the Connecticut at 
Stewartstown. 

Kamdeu, C't. 

New Haven co. This town was 
taken from New Haven in 178fi, 
from which it lies about 6 miles N. 
It is situated between the East and 
West Rock ranges of mountains, 
the southern terminus of the Green 
mountain range. The soil in many 
parts is easy of cuUivation, but in 
general it is more adapted to graz- 
ing than tillage. Minerals are 
found here, among wliich are spe- 
cimens of very pure copper. Mill 
river affords numerous sites for wa- 
ter works. 

15 



Whitney smile, about two iim^^ 
from New Haven, is admiral)ly lo- 
cated formanufacturing oppeiations. 
The manufactures at the Carmel 
works, consist of paper, carriages, 
coach and cliptic springs, steps, 
axletrees, brass work, &c. Mount 
Carmel, a noted elevation, 8 miles 
N. from New Haven, exhibits an 
extensive prospect.. Population, 
1830, 1,669. 

Hamilton, Mass. 

Essex CO. This is a beautiful 
farming town, and most of the in- 
habitants are employed in cultivat- 
ing it. There are some vessels 
built here, and some manufactures 
of leather, boots, and shoes. The 
town is quite small. Population, 
1837, S27. Taken from Ipswich in 
1793. It lies 8 miles N. by E. from 
Salem. 

Hampden, Me. 

Penobscot co. Hampden lies on 
the west side of Penobscot, below 
and adjoining Bangor. It is also 
watered by the Sowadabscook riv- 
er, a lai-ge and valuable mill stream. 
This is an important township in its 
commerce on the Penobscot, its 
manufacture of lumber, and its ag- 
ricultural productions. It is one 
of the most flourishing towns on the 
river. The quantity of wheat pro- 
duced by the farmers, in 1S37, wa-s 
5,664 bushels. Population, 1830, 
2,020 ; 1837, 2,520. Hampden is 
6 miles S. from Bangor, and 62 E. 
N. E. from Augusta. 

Hampden County, Mass. 

Springfield is the chief town. 
This county is very fertile and well 
cultivated, and in common with all 
the counties on Connecticut river, 
it presents a rich array of delightful 
scenery. Its rivers aflbrd an abun- 
dant water power; and this county 
has become noted for its various and 
extensive manufactures. Much 
inland trade is brought to the banks 
of the Connecticut,and large exports 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



are made from this county, the pro- 
duct both of the soil and mechani- 
cal labor. This county was taken 
from Hampshire county in 1812. 
Population, 1820,28,021; 1830, .31,- 
640 ; 1837, 33,627. Area, 58.5 square 
miles. Bounded S. by Tolland and 
Hartford counties, Connecticut ; W. 
by Berkshire county ; N. by Hamp- 
shire county, and E. by Worcester 
county : 57 inhabitants to a square 
mile. The Connecticut, Westiield, 
Chickopee, and Quinebaugh are its 
chief rivers. 

The value of the manufactures 
of this county, the year ending 
April 1,1837, was $3,0.56,302. The 
value of wool, the product of 29,950 
sheep, was $44,786. 

Hampsliire County, Mass. 

JVorthampton is the chief town. 
This ancient county, although its 
limits have been greatly reduced by 
the production of Franklin and 
Hampden counties, is still increas- 
ing in agricultural, commercial and 
manufacturing strength. Located 
in the centre of the alluvial basin 
of the noble Connecticut ; blessed 
with a rich and variegated soil, and 
great water power, this must ever 
remain one of the most independ- 
ent counties in New England. — 
Area, 532 square miles. Popula- 
tion, 1820, 26,447 ; 1830, 30,210 ; 
1837, 30,413. Incorporated, 1662. 
This county is bounded S. by Hamp- 
den, W. by Berkshire, N. by Frank- 
lin, and E. by Worcester counties : 
57 inhabitants to a square mile. 
The Connecticut, Westfield, and 
Swift, are its chief rivers. The 
manufactures of this county, the 
year ending April 1, 1837, amount- 
ed to $2,335,652. The value of 
wool, the fleeces of 64,274 sheep, 
amounted to $103,751. 

Haxnpstead, N. H., 

Rockingham co., lies partly on 
the height of land between Merri- 
mack and Piscataqua rivers. Most 
of the waters descend S W. into 



the Merrimack through Spiggot riv- 
er, which flows from Wash pond, 
near the centre of the town, An- 
glypond is in the N. E. part of the 
town, the waters of which pass into 
Powow river. Island pond, in the 
S. W. part of the town, contains a 
valuable farm of 300 acres. The 
town was granted by Gov. Benning 
Wentworth, January 19, 1749, and 
named by him after a pleasant vil- 
lage five miles N. of London, Eng- 
land. He reserved the island be- 
fore mentioned for his own farm. 
Population in 1830, 913. 



See 



Haiuptou, Me. 

■ Down East." 
Hamptou, IV. H. 



Rockingham co., lies on the sea- 
coast, bounded N. E. by North- 
Hampton, S. E. by the Atlantic, S. 
W. by Hampton Falls, N. W. by 
Hampton Falls and part of Exeter. 
Distant 13 miles S. W. from Ports- 
mouth, 7 S. E. from Exeter, and 50 
S. E. from Concord. The soil is 
well adapted to tillage and mowing, 
and about one fifth of the territory 
is a salt marsh. Hampton is pleas- 
antly situated ; many eminences in 
the town affording romantic views 
of the ocean. Isles of Shoals, and 
sea-coast from Cape Ann to Ports- 
mouth. Its beaches have long been 
the resort of invalids and parties of 
pleasure, and are little inferior to th-e 
famous Nahant beach near Boston. 

Boards Head is an abrupt emi- 
nence extending into the sea, and di- 
viding the beaches about halfway 
between the river's mouth and the 
N. E. corner of the town. On the 
N. beach are numerous fish-houses, 
from which the winter and summer 
fisheries have been carried on with 
much success. Great quantities of 
the winter fish are carried frozen 
into the interior, and to Vermont 
and Canada. 

The Indian name of this town 
was TVinnicumet ; it was first set- 
tled in 1638, by emigrants from the 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



county of Norfolk, England. The 
first house was erected in 1635, by 
Nicholas Easton, and was called the 
Bound-house. The town was in- 
corporated in 1036, and then inclu- 
ded within its limits what now con- 
stitutes the towns of North Hamp- 
ton, Hampton Falls, Kensington and 
Seabrook. 

This town was formerly the scene 
of Indian depredations. On the 17th 
Aus;. 1703, a party of Indians kill- 
ed 5 persons in Hampton, among 
whom was a widow Mussey, cele- 
brated as a preacher among the 
Friends. 

The Hon. Christopher Top- 
pan died here in Feb., 1819, aged 
84: he was a very useful and dis- 
tinguished citizen. Population in 
1830, 1,103. 

Hampton, Ct. 

Windham co. This town was 
taken from Windham and Pomfret 
in 1786. The people are generally 
agriculturalists, with a good strong 
soil of an uneven surface. The 
village is pleasantly situated on high 
ground, 3.5 miles E. from Hartford 
and 6 from Brooklyn. Hampton 
has good mill seats on a branch of 
Shetucket river. Population, 1830, 
1,101. 

Haiupton Falls, N. H., 

Rockingham co., is situated 45 
miles vS. E. from Concord, and 16 
S. W. from Portsmouth. The soil 
is generally good. Hampton Falls 
was originally a part of Hampton, 
from which it was separated and 
incorporated, in 1712. Population, 
1830, 582. 

Hancock County, Me. 

Ellsworth is the chief town. This 
county is bounded N. by Penobscot 
county, E. by Washington county, 
S. by the Atlantic ocean, and W. 
by Penobscot bay and river, and a 
part by Penobscot county. Its ex- 
tent on the ocean is between 50 and 
60 miles : it comprises numerous 



islands of great beauty, some of 
which are large, fertile and well 
cultivated ; it comprises also nu- 
merous bays, and a vast number of 
coves, inlets and spacious harbors. 
■ Perhaps there is no district of its 
extent on the American coast, that 
offers greater facilities for naviga- 
tion, in all its various branches, than 
the county of Hancock. The ton- 
nage of Frenchman's bay, in this 
county, in 1837, was 13,184 tons. 
The soil of the county is generally 
of an excellent quality, particularly 
in the interior. There are a great 
number of ponds in the county : ev- 
ery section of it is watered by mill 
streams, and Union river, nearly 
in its centre, affords the interior 
part great facilities for transporta- 
tion. This county contains an area 
of about 1,850 square miles. Pop- 
ulation, 1830, 24,347 ; 1837, 28,120. 
Population to a square mile, 15. 
This county produced, in 1837, 21,- 
446 bushels of wheat, and contain- 
ed 38,870 sheep. 

Hancock, ]>Ie. 

Hancock CO. This town was tak- 
en from Sullivan and Trenton in 
1828. It is situated between those 
towns, and is nearly surrounded by 
the head waters of Frenchman's 
bay. It is a place of some naviga- 
tion ; 85 miles E. from Augusta, 
and bounded easterly by Ellsworth. 
Population, 1837, 653. 

Hancock, N. H. 

Hillsborough co. It is 35 miles 
from Concord, 22 from Amherst, 
and 19 from Keene. The W. part 
of the town is mountainous, but af- 
fords excellent pasturing and many 
good farms. The other parts of the 
town are agreeably diversified with 
plains, hills and valleys. On the 
Contoocook, and some of its trib- 
utary streams, there are several 
tracts of excellent intervale. There 
are two considerable ponds, one of 
which is in the centre, a few rods 
N. of the meeting-house. There 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



is a cotton factory, a paper mill, and 
several other manufacturing estab- 
lishments here ; also a nourishing 
academy. Hancock was incorpora- 
ted Nov. 5, 1779. It was named 
after Gov. Hancock, of Boston, who 
was one of the original proprietors. 
The first settlement was begun in 
1764. Population, 1830, 1,31G. 

Hancock, Vt. 

Addison co. Several branches 
of Otter creek rise in this town. 
Hancock is wholly on the moun- 
tains, and most of the land fit only 
for grazing. First settled, 1778. 
Population, 1S30, 472. It lies 30 
miles S. W. from Montpelier, and 
1.5 S. E. from Middlebury. 

Hancock, Mass. 

Berkshire co. This is a moun- 
tainous township, on the line of the 
state of New York, the source of 
the Housatonick, and the residence 
of a family of " Shakers." It Jies 
129 miles W. from Boston, 15 N. 
by W. from Lenox, and 5 E. from 
New Lebanon, New York. Incor- 
porated, 1776. Population, 1337, 
975. 

There are one cotton and three 
woolen mills in the town, and some 
manufactures of leather, boots, 
shoes, iron castings, and wooden 
ware. The value of 5,445 fleeces 
of wool, sheared in 1837, amounted 
to $11,544. 

As we are so near the lovely val- 
ley of New Lebanon, its tepid 
springs, and a large family of our 
friends, the Shakers, we must be 
permitted to cross the line a mo- 
ment, "just to take a look." 

JYew Lebanon, New York, is in 
the county of Columbia, and sit- 
uated in a delightful valley, sur- 
rounded by cultivated hills, which 
present scenery greatly variegated 
and peculiarly pleasing. 

A community of Shakers, of be- 
tween 500 and 600, own about 3,000 
acres of excellent land in Ihi s town- 



ship, which is highly improved by 
this industrious, hospitable, and cu- 
rious people. Their village is about 
two miles southeast of the springs. 

The Springs are on the side of a 
hill, and are so abundant as to sup- 
ply a small water power. The wa- 
ters are tasteless, pure as crystal, 
and appear to differ in no respect 
fiom other pure mountain waters, 
except in temperature, which is 
always at 72° of Fahrenheit. 

This is a great resort for visitors 
from all directions: — some to enjoy 
the romantic scenery with which 
this region abounds, and others the 
benign intiuence of the waters. The 
public resorts are well located, and 
alibrd excellent accommodations. 
New Lebanon is 134 miles W. from 
Boston, 24 E. from Albany, 25 N. 
E. from Hudson, 7 W. from Pitts- 
field, 23 S. by W. from Williams- 
town, 156 N. by E. from New 
York, and 63 N. W. by W. from 
Hartlbrt^ Ct. 

Kanover, W. H. 

Grafton co. The Connecticut 
river separates it from Norwich, 
Vermont. It is 53 miles N. W. 
from Concord, and 102 from Ports- 
mouth. In this town there is no 
river nor any considerable stream 
besides the Connecticut. Mink 
brook, running in aS. W. direction, 
Slate brook in a W. course, and 
Goose-Pond brook in the N. E. part 
of the town, are among the princi- 
pal streams. Neither of them is 
large enough for permanent mill 
privileges. There are several small 
islands in Connecticut river within 
the limits of Hanover, the largest 
of vvliich is Parker's island, contain- 
ing ajbout 20 acres. There are no 
natural ponds. The surface of 
Hanover is agreeably diversified 
with hills and valleys, and the great- 
est part is suitable for farms. There 
is but a small proportion of waste 
land; less, perhaps, than in any other 
town in Grafton county. It is es- 
timated that nearly one half is un- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



der improvement. Moose moun- 
tain is a considerable elevation, ex- 
tending across the town from N. 
to S., at the distance of about five 
miles from Connecticut river. A 
handsome bridge connects the S. 
W. part of the town with Norwich. 
The principal village is in tlie .S. 
W. corner of the town, on a beau- 
tiful and extensive plain, half a 
mile from Connecticut river, and 
180 feet above the level of its wa- 
ters. Vegetable substances are 
found in dilferent parts of this plain 
at a depth of from .50 to 80 feet. 
The principal houses are erected 
round a square, level area, of 12 
acres. The remainder stand on 
different streets, leading from the 
green in all directions. 

In this pleasant village is located 
Dartmouth College. 

See Register. 

Among the worthy men who 
have finished their earthly career 
in this place, may be mentioned 
the following : 

Rev. Eleazar Wheelock, D. 
D., who died April 24, 1779, aged 
69. 

Hon. John Wheelock, LL. D., 
president of the college 3-5 years, 
who died April 4, 1S17, aged 63. 

Hon. Bkzaleel Woodward, 
who died Aug. 1804. 

Rev. John Smith, D. D., who 
died April, 1809. 

Hon. John Hubbard, who died 
in Sept. 1810. 

Rev. Francis Brown, D. D., 
who died July 27, 1820, aged 36. 
These gentlemen were ail connect- 
ed with the college. Population, 
1830, 2,361. 

Hanover, Mass. 

Plymouth co. Hanover is bound- 
ed S. by North river, which fur- 
nishes good mill sites. It was in- 
corporated in 1727. It lies 23 miles 
S. E. from Boston, and 12 N. W. 
from Plymouth. The manufactures 
of Hanover consist of bar iron, iron 
castings, anchors, ploughs, vessels, 
15* 



tacks, leather, boots, shoes, and 
woolen cloth : total annual amount, 
about $75,000. Pop. 1S37, 1,435. 

Hanson, Mass. 

Plymouth co. This town is wa- 
tered by a branch of North river 
and several ponds. It was taken 
from Pembroke in 1820, and lies in 
the vicinity of large beds of excel- 
lent iron ore. The manufactures 
of Hanson consist of ship anchors 
and knees, nails, carriage springs, 
iron castings, leather, shoes, sawed 
boxes and shingles : total annual 
amount, about $70,000. Population, 
1837, 1,058. It lies 24 miles S. S. 
E. from Boston, and 15 N. N. W. 
from Plymouth. 

HardAvick, Vt. 

Caledonia CO. Hardwick is fine- 
ly watered by Lamoille river, which 
gives the town valuable mill sites, 
and which are well improved for 
manufacturing purposes. The soil 
of the town is generally very good, 
and produces a variety of exports. 
Between si.x and seven thousand 
sheep, and manj/ other cattle, are 
kept in the town, a large amount 
of which are annually fattened and 
sent to market. 

Among the first settlers of the 
town, in 1790, was Mr. Gideon Sa- 
bin, whose wife became the mother 
of 26 children. Population, 1830, 
1,216. Hardwick lies 20 miles N. 
N. E. from Montpelier, and 13 N. 
W. from Danville. 

Hartl'wick, Mass. 

Worcester co. AVare river and a 
smaller stream pass through the 
S. part of this town, and furnish 
good mill privileges. It lies 62 
miles W. from Boston and 22 W. by 
N. from Worcester. Incorporated, 
1738. Population, 1837, 1,818.— 
There are 2 paper mills in the town, 
and manufactures of straw bonnets, 
palni-leaf hats, boots, shoes, ploughs, 
leather, chairs and cabinet ware : 
annual amount about $50,000. — 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



Hardwick is a pleasant town, of 
good soil, with a tine fish pond. 

Harmony, Me. 

Somerset co. This town has an 
excellent soil, and is well watered by 
a large and beautiful pond, and by 
other sources of Sebasticook river. 
In 1837 it had a population of 1,048, 
and produced (j,S36 bushels of 
wheat. It was incorporated in 
1303, and lies 53 miles N. by E. 
from Augusta, and 23 N. E. from 
Norridgewock. 

Harps^vell, Me. 

Cumberland co. This township 
comprises a promontory in Casco 
bay, formerly Merryconeag, and 
several islands surrounding it, the 
largest of which is called Sebascod- 
cgan. The waters which enclose 
this territory are so situated, at the 
northern and eastern extremity of 
Casco bay, that a canal of about a 
mile in length would unite them 
with Kennebec river, near Bath. 
The soil of Harpswell is very fer- 
tile, and the location delightful in 
summer. It is a resort for invalids 
and parties of pleasure. The peo- 
ple are principally engaged in farm- 
ing and fishing. It lies 22 miles 
N. E. from Portland by water, and 
4 miles S. E. from Brunswick. In- 
corporated, 1758. Population, 1837, 
1,344. 

Hari-iugtou, Me. 

Washington co. This town is 
bounded on the S. and E. by the 
waters of Narraguagus bay, and W. 
by the river of that name. It has 
good mill privileges, excellent har- 
bors, considerable navigation and 
trade. Incorporated, 1797. Popu- 
lation, 1830, 1,118; 1837, 1,.354.— 
Harrington lies 118 miles E. from 
Augusta, and 25 W. S. W. from 
Machias. 

Harrison, Me. 

Cumberland co. Crooked river 
passes the E. side of this town, and 



the waters of Long pond are its 
western boundary. This is a good 
township of land, and pioduced, in 
1837, 3,180 bushels of wheat. In- 
corporated, 1805. Population, 1837, 
1,161. Harrison has Otistield on 
the E., and is 75 miles W. S. W. 
from Augusta, and 45 N. W. from 
Portland. 

Hartford, Me. 

Oxford CO. This excellent town- 
ship is watered by ponds and small 
streams, and produced, in 1837, 9,- 
318 bushels of wheat. It lies 31 
miles Vi. from Augusta, and 15 N. 
E. from Paris. Population, 1830, 
1,453. Incorporated, 1798. 

Hartford, Vt. 

Windsor co. This town is on the 
west side of the Connecticut, and is 
otherwise finely watered by White 
and Waterqueechy rivers. It lies 
42 miles S. S. E. from Montpelier, 
and 14 N. from Windsor. First set- 
tled, 1764. Population, 1830, 2,044. 
The surface of the town is uneven, 
but the soil is rich, warm, and very 
productive. The two principal vil- 
lages are pleasantly located on the 
banks of the rivers that meet the 
Connecticut at this place, both of 
which are flourishing in manufac- 
tures and trade. Many cattle,beside 
pork, butter, cheese, &c., are sent 
to market from Hartford. In 1837 
it had 13,207 sheep. 

Hartford County, Ct. 

Hartford is the chief town. This 
county is bounded N. by Hampden 
county, Mass., E. by Tolland coun- 
ty, S. by the counties of Middlesex 
and New Haven, and W. by the 
county of Litchfield. This is con- 
sidered the most important and val- 
uable county in the state, in re- 
gard to the variety and richness of 
its soil, and the high state of cul- 
ture it has attained. It was con- 
stituted in 16C6, since which, Tol- 
land county and parts of Middle- 
sex, Windham, Litchfield, and New 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEEft. 



London have been detached. Its 
present limits comprise an area of 
about 727 sciuare miles. Besides 
the Connecticut, which traverses 
its whole length, the Farmington, 
Hackanum, Podunk, Scantic, and 
other streams, water the county in 
almost every direction. On these 
streams important manufacturing 
establishments have sprung up, and 
unite with the agricultural interest 
and river trade in rendering this 
county the centre of a large and 
flourishing business. In 1S37 tliere 
were in the county 29,576 sheep. 
Population, 1S20, 47,261; 1830, 
51,141 : 70 inhabitants to a square 
mile. 

Hartford, Ct. 

The first English settlement in 
Harttbrd was commenced in 163.5, 
by Mr. John Steel and his associates 
from Newtown, (now Canibridge)in 
Massachusetts. The main body of 
the first settlers, with Mr. Hooker 
at their head, did not arrive till the 
following year. 

" About the beginning of June, 
(says Dr. Trumbull,) Mr. Hooker, 
Mr. Stone, and about one hundred 
men, women and children, took 
their departure from Cambridge, 
and traveled more than a hundred 
miles, through a hideous and track- 
less wilderness, to Hartford. They 
had no guide but their compass, 
and made their way over mountains, 
through swamps, thickets and riv- 
ers, which were not passable but 
with great difficulty. They had no 
cover but the heavens, nor any 
lodgings but those that simple na- 
ture afforded them. They drove 
with them a hundred and sixty head 
of cattle, and by the way subsisted 
on the milk of their cows. Mrs. 
Hooker was borne through the wil- 
derness upon a litter. The people 
carried their packs, arms, and some 
utensils. They were nearly a fort- 
night on their journey. Tbis ad- 
venture was the more remarkable, 
as many of the company were per- 



sons of figure, who had lived in 
England, in honor, afHuence and 
delicacy, and were entire strangers 
to fatigue and danger." 

The Indian name of Hartford was 
Siickiag. A deed appears to have 
been given by Stinckquasso7i, the 
sachem of the place, about 1636, to 
Samuel Stone and William Good- 
win, who appear to have acted in 
behalf of the first settlers. 

The town of Hartford is bounded 
N. by Windsor and Bloomfield, E. 
by Connecticut river, S. by Weth- 
ersfield, and W. by Farmington and 
Avon. It is about six miles in 
length from north to south, and ave- 
rages about five in breadth. The 
western part of the town has a soil 
of red gravelly earth, very rich and 
productive. That part near the 
river is covered with a strong clay, 
or a rich black mould. The latter 
is principally in the valuable tract 
of meadow adjacent to Connecticut 
river. 

Hartford City, incorporated 
in 17S4, is over a mile in length 
upon the river, and about three 
fourths of a mile in breadth. The 
alluvial flat upon the river is nar- 
row, being from 40 to 100 rods, and 
is connected with the upland by a 
very gradual elevation. It is situ- 
ated on the west side of Connecti- 
cut river, 45 miles from its mouth. 
It is in N. lat. 41° 45' 59", W. 
Ion. 72° 40'. It is 260 miles S. 
W. from Augusta, Maine; 139 S. 
S. W. from Concord, New Hamp- 
shire ; 205 S. from Montpelier, Ver- 
mont ; 97 W. S. W. from Boston, 
Massachusetts ; 64 W. from Provi- 
dence, Rhoile Island; 110 N. E. 
from the city of New York, and 
335 E. from Washington. 

The legislature of the state as- 
sembles alternately at Hartford and 
New Haven, the odd years at Hart- 
ford. The city is rather irregular- 
ly laid out, and is divided at the S. 
part by Mill, or Little river. Across 
this stream a fine bridge of free- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



stone has been thrown, which con- 
nects the two parts of the city. 
This structure is 100 feet wide, 
supported by a single arch, 7 feet 
in thickness at the base, and 3 feet 
3 inches at the centre, the chord or 
span of which is 104 feet; eleva- 
vation from the bed of the river to 
the top of the arch, 30 feet 9 inch- 
es. Anotlier bridge, across Con- 
necticut river, 1,000 feet long, and 
which cost over $100,000, unites the 
city with East Hartford. Hartford 
is very advantageously situated for 
business, is surrounded by an ex- 
tensive and wealthy district, and 
communicates with the towns and 
villages on the Connecticut above 
by small steam-boats, two of which, 
for passengers, ply daily between 
Hartford and Springfield. The re- 
mainder are employed in towing flat 
bottomed boats, of 15 to 30 tons 
burthen, as far as Wells' river, 220 
miles above the city. The coast- 
ing trade is very considerable, and 
tliere is some foreign trade carried 
on. A daily line of steam-boats pass 
between Hartford and New York. 
The manufactures of this city ex- 
ceed $900,000 per annum ; among 
these are various manufactures of 
tin, copper, and slieet iron ; block 
tin and pewter ware ; printing press- 
es and ink ; a manufactoiy of iron 
machinery ; iron foundries, saddle- 
ry, carriages, joiners' tools, paper- 
hangings, looking-glasses, umbrel- 
las, stone ware, a brewery, a web 
manufactory, cabinet furniture, 
boots and shoes, hats, clothing for 
exportation, soap and candles, man- 
ufactories of machine and other 
wire cards, operated by dogs, &c. 
More than twice as many books, it 
is stated, are published here, annu- 
ally, as are manufactured in any 
other place of equal population in 
the United States. 

The city is well built, and con- 
tains many elegant public and pri- 
vate edifices. The state-house, in 
which are the public offices of the 
state, is surmounted by a cupola, 



and is a very handsome and spa- 
cious building. The city hall, built 
for city purposes, is also spacious 
and elegant ; it has two fronts, with 
porticos, — supported each by six 
massive columns. The American 
Asylum for the deaf and dumb, the 
Retreat for the insane, and Wash- 
ington College, are all beautifully 
located, in the immediate vicinity 
of the city. The population with- 
in the city limits, in September, 
1S35, was nine thousand and eight 
hundred. 

" The American Asylum for the 
education and instruction of deaf 
and dumb persons, was founded by 
an association of gentlemen in Hart- 
ford, Conn., in 1S15. Their atten- 
tion was called to this important 
charity by a case of deafness in the 
family of one of their number. 
An interesting child of the late Dr. 
Cogswell, who had lost her hearing 
at the age of two years, and her 
speech soon after, was, under Prov- 
idence, the cause of its establish- 
ment. Her father, ever ready to 
sympathize with the afllicted, and 
prompt to relieve human suffering, 
embraced in hia plans for the edu- 
cation of his own daughter, all who 
might be similarly unfortunate. — 
The co-operation of the benevolent 
was easily secured, and measures 
were taken to obtain from Europe 
a knowledge of the difficult art, 
unknown in this country, of teach- 
ing written language through the 
medium of signs, to the deaf and 
dumb. For this purpose, the Rev. 
Thomas H. Gallaudet visited Eng- 
land and Scotland, and applied at 
the institutions in those countries 
for instruction in their system ; but 
meeting with unexpected difficul- 
ties, he repaired to France, and ob- 
tained, at the Royal Institution at 
Paris, those qualifications for an 
instructor of the deaf and dumb, 
which a selfish and mistaken poli- 
cy had refused him in Great Brit- 
ain. Accompanied by ]Mr. Laurent 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



Clerc, liimsclf deaf and dumb, and 
for several years a successful teach- 
er under tlie Abbe Sicard, Mr. Gal- 
laudet returned to tliis country in 
'Aug;ust, 1816. The Asylum had, 
in May preceding, been incorpora- 
ted by the state legislature. Some 
months were spent by IMessrs. Gal- 
laudet and Clerc in obtaining funds 
for the bcnctit of the inslitution, 
and in the spring of 1S17 the Asy- 
lum was opened for the reception of 
those for whom it was designed, and 
the course of instruction commenced 
with seven pupils. 

"As the knowledge of the in- 
stitution extended, and the facili- 
ties for obtaining its advantages 
were multiplied, the number of pu- 
pils increased from seven to one 
hundred and forty, which for seve- 
ral years past has not been miich 
above the average number ; and 
since its commencement, in 1817, to 
1837, instruction has been imparted 
to four hundred and seventy-seven 
deaf and dumb persons. 
" In 1S19, Congress granted the in- 
stitution a townsliip of land in Ala- 
bama, tlie proceeds of which have 
been invested as a permanent fund. 
The principal building was erected 
in 1820, and the pupils removed to 
it in the spring of the following 
year. It is one hundred and thirty 
feet long, fifty feet wide, and, in- 
cluding the basement, four stories 
high. Other buildings have been 
subsequently erected, as the in- 
creasing number of pupils made it 
necessary ; the principal of which 
is a dining hall and workshops for 
the male pupils. Attached to the 
institution are eight or ten acres of 
land, which afibrd ample room for 
exercise, and the cultivation of veg- 
etables and fruits for the i)upils. 

" The system of instruction adopt- 
ed at this institution is substantially 
the same as that of the French 
school at Paris. It has, however, 
been materially improved and mod- 
ified by Mr. Gallaudet and his as- 
sociates. This system, and indeed 



every other rational system of 
teaching the deaf and dumb, is bas- 
ed upon the natural language of 
signs. By this we mean those ges- 
tures which a deaf and dumb per- 
son will naturally use to express his 
ideas, and to make known his wants 
previous to instruction. These 
gestures and signs are rather ^^/cfo- 
rial, that is, an exact outline of the 
object, delineated by the hands in 
the air ; or descriptive, giving an 
idea of an object by presenlitig 
some of its prominent and striking 
features ; or conventional, such as 
may have been agreed upon by a 
deaf and dumb person and his as- 
sociates. As there arc very few 
objects which can be expressed 
with suCScient clearness by the de- 
lineation of its outline alone, a de- 
scriptive sign is usually connected 
with it. Thus, in making a sign 
for a book, the outline is first delin- 
eated by the fore finger of both 
hands. To this is added the descrip- 
tive signs of opening a book, plac- 
ing it before the eyes, and moving 
the lips as in reading. It may 
therefore simplify the classificatioa 
of natural signs if the first two di- 
visions be united ; and it will be 
sufficiently accurate to say that all 
the signs used by the deaf and dumb 
are either descriptive or conven- 
tional. By far the greater part of 
these signs belong to the former 
class ; as it includes the signs for 
most common objects, actions and 
emotions. A deaf and dumb child 
constructs his language upon the 
same principle as the child who can 
hear ; that of imitation. 

" In the school- room, the instruc- 
tor makes use of natural signs to 
communicate ideas to his pupils, of 
systematic signs to enable them to 
translate their own into written lan- 
guage ; of the manual alphabet, 
or signs of the hand, corresponding 
to the letters of the alphabet ; and 
of written symbols to express the 
grammatical relations of words. 

" The pupils usually remain at 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



the AsylHin four or five j^ears, in 
which time an intelligent clnhl will 
acquire a knowledge of the common 
operations of arithmetic, of geogra- 
phy, grammar, history, biograpliy, 
and of written language, so as to 
enable him to understand the Scrip- 
tures, and books written in a famil- 
iar style. He will of course be able 
to converse with others by writing, 
and to manage his own aiTaii-s as a 
farmer or mechanic. There are 
workshops connected with the in- 
stitution, in which the boys have 
the opportunit}' of learning a trade, 
and many of them, by devoting four 
hours each day to this object, be- 
come skillful workmen, and when 
they leave the Asylum find no dif- 
ficulty in supporting themselves. 
The annual charge to each pupil is 
one hundred dollars. 

" The department of instruction 
is under the control of the piincipal 
of the institution, who has also a 
general oversight of the other de- 
partments. The pupils are distrib- 
uted into eight or nine classes, the 
immediate care of which is com- 
mitted to the same number of as- 
sistant instructors. When out of 
school, the pupils are under the care 
of a steward and matron." 

Retreat for the Insane. " This 
institution is situated on a command- 
ing eminence, at the distance of a 
mile and a quarter, in a southwest- 
erly direction, from the State House 
in Hartford. It was opened April 
1, 1824. The elevation overlooks 
an ample range of fertile country, 
presenting on every side a most in- 
teresting landscape, adorned with 
every beauty of rural scenery, 
that can be found in rich and culti- 
vated fields, and meadows of unri- 
valled verdure ; in extensive gioves 
and picturesque groups of forest, 
fruit and ornamental trees ; and 
above all, in the charming diversi- 
ty of level, sloping and undulating 
surfaces, terminating by distant 
bills, and more distant mountains. 



" This site was selected as one 
pre-eminently calculated to attract 
and engage the attention, and soothe 
and appease the morbid fancies and 
feelings of the patient whose fac- 
ulties are not sunk below or raised 
above the sphere of relations that 
originally existed. And if he is 
not beyond the reach of genial sen- 
sations, connected with external 
objects, he will undoubtedly feel the 
conscious evidence that tliis situa- 
tion most happily unites the tran- 
quilizing influence of seclusion and 
retirement, with the cheering effed 
of an animated picture of active 
life, continually passing in review 
before his eyes, while himself ig 
remote, and secure from the annoy- 
ance of its bustle and noise. 

"The edifice for the accommoda- 
tion of the patients, and those who 
have the care of them, is construct- 
ed of unhewn free-stone, covered 
with a smooth, white, water-proof 
cement. Its style of architecture 
is perfectly plain and simple, and 
interests only by its symmetrical 
beauty, and perhaps by the idea it 
impresses of durability and strength, 
derived from the massy solidity of 
its materials. Yet notwithstanding 
these, its general aspect is remark- 
ably airy and cheerful, from the 
amplitude of its lights, and the bril- 
liant whiteness of its exterior. The 
whole building is divided into com- 
modious and spacious apartments, 
adapted to various descriptions of 
cases, according to their sex, nature 
and disease, habits of life, and the 
wishes of their friends. The male 
and female apartments are entire- 
ly separated, and either sex is com- 
pletely secluded from the view of 
the other. Rooms are provided in 
both male and female apartments 
for the accommodation of the sick, 
where they are removed from any 
annoyance, and can continually re- 
ceive the kind attentions of their 
immediate relations and friends. 
Attached to the building are about 
seventeen acres of excellent land. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



the principal part of which is laid 
out in walks, ornamental grounds 
and extensive gardens. With eacli 
wing and block of the building is 
connected a court-yard, encompass- 
ed by high fences, and handsomely 
laid out, designed to afford the ben- 
efit of exercise, pastime and fresh 
air, to those who cannot safely be 
allowed to range abroad." 

The mode of treatment at this 
institution is similar to that adopted 
at the .McLean Asylum, Charles- 
town, Mass. 

"TVashingfoyi College. This in- 
stitution was founded in 1826 It 
has two edifices of free stone ; one 
143 feet long by 43 wide, and 4 sto- 
ries high, containing 4S rooms; the 
other 87 feet by 55, and 3 stories 
high, containing the chapel, libra- 
ry, mineralogical cabinet, philo- 
sophical chamber, laboratory and 
recitation rooms. See Register. 

The Charter Oak. This tree 
stands on the beautiful elevation 
which rises above the south mead- 
ows, a few rods north of the ancient 
seat of the Wyllys family. The 
tree is still in a vigorous state, and 
may flourish for another century. 

" That venerable tree, which 
concealed the charter of ourriglits," 
says a daughter of Secretary Wyl- 
lys, "stands at the foot of Wyllys 
hill. The first inhabitant of that 
name found it standing in the height 
of its glory. Age seems to have 
curtailed its branches, yet it is not 
exceeded in the height of its color- 
ing, or richness of its foliage. The 
trunk measures twenty one feet in 
circumference, and near seven in 
diameter. The cavity, which was 
the asylum of our charter, was near 
the roots, and large enough to ad- 
mit a child. Within the space of 
eight years, that cavity has closed, 
as if it had fulfillei! the divine pur- 
pose for which it had been reared." 

The story of the " Charter Oak" 
is thus told by Mr. Barber. 



" Sir Edmund Andros being ap- 
pointed the first governor-general 
over New England, arrived in Bos- 
ton in Dec. 1686. From this place 
he wrote to the colony of Connecti- 
cut to resign their charter, but with- 
out success. " ' The assembly met 
as usual, in October, and tiie gov- 
ernment continued according to 
charter, until the last of the month. 
About this time, Sir Edmund, with 
his suite and more than sixty regu- 
lar troop's, came to Hartford when 
the assembly were sitting, and de- 
manded the charter, and declared 
the government under it to be dis- 
solved. The assembly were ex- 
tremely reluctant and slow with re- 
spect to any resolve to surrender 
the charter, or with respect to any 
motion to bring it forth. The tra- 
dition is, that governor Treat strong- 
ly represented the great expense 
and hardships of the colonists in 
planting the country; the blood 
and treasure which they had ex- 
pended in defending it, both against 
the savages and foreigners ; to what 
hardships he himself had been ex- 
posed for that purpose ; and that it 
was like giving up iiis life, now to 
surrender the patent and privileges 
so dearly bouglit and so long enjoy- 
ed. The important affair was de- 
bated and kept in suspense until the 
evening, when the charter was 
brought and laid upon the table 
where the assembly were sitting. 
By this time great numbers of peo- 
ple were assembled, and men suffi- 
ciently bold to enterprise whatever 
might be necessary or expedient. 
The lights were instantly extin- 
guished, and one Capt. Wadsworfh, 
of Hartford, in the most silent and 
secret manner, carried off the char- 
ter, and secreted it in a large hol- 
low tree, fronting the house of Hon. 
Samuel Wyllys, then one of the 
magistrates of the colony. The 
people all appeared peaceable and 
orderly. The candles were offi- 
ciously re-lighted, but the patent 
was gone, and no discovery could 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



be made of it, or the persons who 
carried it away.' " 

West Hartford, or, as it was 
formerly called, West Division, is 
a fine tract of land. The inhabit- 
ants are mostly substantial farmers, 
and the general appearance of the 
place denotes an unusual share of 
equalized wealth and prosperity. 
The venerable Nathan Per- 
kins, D. D., still continues his la- 
bors in the ministry in this place. 
In 1833, his sixtieth anniversary 
sermon was published. In that ser- 
mon he says, " I am now the oldest 
oificiating minister of the gospel in 
this state, and, as far as I can learn, 
in the United States. And I can- 
not learn,from the history of church- 
es in Connecticut, that there has 
ever been an instance of one of its 
ministers preaching for sixty years 
uninterruptedly to the same con- 
gregation." 

Dr. Perkins stated, as we are in- 
formed, that from the commence- 
ment of his ministry, that in his 
church there had been one thou- 
sand deaths and one thousand-bap- 
tisms—that he had delivered four 
thousand written sermons, and three 
thousand extemporaneous ones, on 
other occasions of worship — that he 
had attended sixty ordinations and 
installations, and had preached 20 
ordination sermons, twelve of which 
had been published by request ; that 
he had attended one hundred eccle- 
siastical councils, to heal difficulties 
in the churches, and that he had 
fitted for college one hundred and 
fifty students, and more than thirty 
for the gospel ministry. 

Hartland, Me. 

Somerset co. This excellent 
township is watered on its eastern 
boundary by one of the princqjal 
branches of "Sebasticook river. The 
inhabitants are principally engaged 
in agricultural pursuits, and the soil 
richly rewards them for their indus- 
try. Hartland produced 4,836 



bushels of wheat in 1837, some 
wool and other valuable commodi- 
ties. It was incorporated in 1820. 
Population, 1837, 890. It lies 42 
miles N. by E. from Augusta, and 
18 N. E. from Norridgewock. 

Hartland, Vt. 

Windsor co. Timothy Lull was 
the father of this flourishing re- 
public. He took his family from 
Dummerston, up Connecticut river 
about 50 miles, in a log canoe, in 
1763. He landed at the mouth of 
a beautiful stream, called LnWs 
Brook. His nearest neighbors were 
more than 20 miles distant. He 
commenced a settlement on Lull's 
Brook, and, after acquiring a hand- 
some property, died there at the 
age of 81. timothy Lull, jr., was 
the first child born in the town.— 
On the occasion of his birth, a mid- 
wife was drawn 23 miles on a hand 
sled. 

This is a rich farming town, pleas- 
antly diversified by hills and val- 
leys. Hartland produces many cat- 
tle : ten thousand sheep graze in 
its pastures. It lies on the vvest 
bank of Connecticut river. Water- 
queechy river, at the N. part of the 
town, and Lull's Brook, at the S., 
give it a water power of great val- 
ue. On these streams ai-e neat vil- 
lao-es and flourishing manufactur- 
ing establishments. Hartland lies 
50* miles S. S. E. from Montpelier 
and 9 N. from Windsor. Popula 
tion, 1830, 2,503. 



Hartland, Ct. 

Hartford co. This town is 22 
miles N. W. from Hartford. It lies 
in a mountainous part of the state : 
most of the land is cold and fit only 
for grazing. A branch of Farm- 
ington river passes through the 
town, and forms what is called 
Hartland hollow, a deep ravine, 
presenting some bold and pictur- 
esque scenery. Hartland was in- 
corporated in 1761. First settled, 
1753. Population, 1830, 1,221. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



Ilai-^'Bi-d, 31ass. 

Worcester co. This town was 
taken from Stow, Groton and Lan- 
caster, in 1732. It is washed on 
the W. side by Nashua river. It 
lies 30 iriiles N. W. from Boston, 
20 N. E. from Worcester, and 13 
W. from Concord. Here are two 
large ponds with line lish, and quar- 
ries of slate used for monuments. 

About 200 of that industrious sect, 
called shakers, reside here, and own 
a considerable tract of excellent 
land. They live about 3 miles N. 
E. from the centre of the town, and 
supply the market with a great va- 
riety of wares, fruits, seeds, herbs, 
&c. &,c., the product of their me- 
chanical ingenuity and horticultu- 
ral skill. 

There are three paper mills in 
Harvard, and manufactures of palm- 
leaf hats, boots, shoes, leather and 
grave stones: annual value about 
$40,000. Large quantities of hops 
liave been raised in this place. — 
Population, 1S37, 1,566. 

Ilai'AY'icIi, Mass., 

Barnstable co., on the S. side of 
Cape Cod, 14 miles E. from Barn- 
stable. Incorporated, 1694. Pop- 
ulation, 1830, 2,464; 1837,2,771. 
On Herring river, the outlet of 
Long pond, are cotton and other 
mills. Some vessels are built here 
and .some salt manufactuied. The 
product of the cod and mackerel 
fishery the year ending April 1, 
1837, was .S33,000. Harwich is a 
pleasant town : the village makes 
a good appearance from the sea. 

Ilar'wiutoii, C't. 

Litchfield co. Har-win-ton de- 
rived its name from three syllables 
taken from the names of Hartford, 
Windsor and Farmington. It was 
first settled in 1731; incorporated, 
1737. Population, 1830, 1,. 516. It 
lies 23 miles W. from Hartford, 40 
N. by W. from New Ifavcn, and 8 
1'. from Litchli-^ld. Harwinton is 

16 



situated on high ground, abounding 
with granite rocks and more lit for 
grazing than tillage. 

Hatfleld, Mass. 

Hampshire co. This is a weal- 
thy agricultural township, noted 
for its good soil ami line beef cattle. 
It lies on the W. side of Connecti- 
cut river, 5 nules N. from North- 
ampton, and .95 W. from Boston. — 
Incorporated, 1670. Pojjulation, 
1837, 937. The manufactures of 
tlie town consist of corn brooms, 
boots, shoes, palm-leaf tiats, and car- 
riages ; annual value about $50,000. 

There is an elm tree in Hatfield 
which is said to measure, two feet 
from the ground, thirty four feet in 
circumference, 

HavcrliUl, ]V. H., 

Graflon co., is one of the shire 
towns. It lies 31 miles N. W. from 
Plymouth, and 70 N. N. W. from 
Concord. It is watered by Olive- 
rian and Hazen brooks. Haverhill 
is a pleasant town. The soil is suit- 
ed to every species of cultivation. 
There is a quarry of gi-anite suita- 
ble for mill stones and buildings, 
and a bed of iron ore^ on the Sv. 
side of Coventry, bordering this 
town. 

The principal village is at the S. 
W. angle of the town, and known 
by the name of Haverhill Corner. 
There is a beautiful common in this 
village, laid out in an oblong square, 
around which the buildings regu- 
lai'ly stand. The site is a handsome 
elevation, overlooking tlie adjacent 
country many miles N. and S., and 
not less than 6 or 7 miles E. and W. 
From the street, the ground slopes 
M'ith unusual elegance to the W., 
and is succeeded by broad intei-- 
vales. The prospect here is de- 
lightful. There is another village 
at the N. W. angle of the town, on 
a street nearly a ndle in length, 
straight and very level. 

Haverhill was granted, 1764. Its 
first settlement was made in 1764, 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



by Capt. John Hazen, who settled 
on the Little Ox Bow, near where 
there had formerly hecn an Indian 
fort and burying ground, and where 
many Indian skulls and relics have 
been found. Several of the early 
settlers were from Newbury and 
Haverhill, Mass., and from the last 
place, this town derived its name. 
Its tbrmer name was Lower Coos. 

Hon. Moses Dow was one of the 
most distinguished citizens of this 
place. 

Hon. Charles Johnstoiv, who 
died March .5, 1813, aged 76, resid- 
ed here. He was a valuable offi- 
cer in the revolution, and was ma- 
ny years judge of probate in Graf- 
ton county. 

Hon. James Woodward and Hon. 
Ezekiel Ladd were among the early 
settlers, and were judges of the old 
county court. Population, in 1830, 
2,153. 

Haverhill, Mass. 

Essex CO. This ancient, respect- 
able and flourishing manufacturing 
town, lies on the N. side of the 
Merrimack river, at the head of 
navigation, and united to Bradford by 
two beautiful bridges. It is 3(» miles 
N. from Boston, 31 N. N. W. from 
Salem, 12 W. by S. from Newbu- 
ryport, 18 N. E. from Lowell, 30 
S. W. from Portsmouth, N. H. and 
40 S. E. from Concord, N. H. Lit- 
tle river passing through the town 
affords a good hydraulic power, on 
which are manufacturing establish- 
ments of various kinds. The man- 
ufactures consist of woolen goods, 
leather, boots, shoes, hats, shovels, 
spades, forks, hoes, chairs, cabinet 
ware, combs, ploughs, tin ware, 
vessels, palm-leaf hats, shoe lasts, 
spirits, morocco leather, chaises and 
harnesses : total amount the year 
ending April 1, 1837, $1,357,-526. 

Haverhill is delightfully located, 
handsomely built, and has been the 
birth place and residence of many 
of the most valuable and distin- 
guished citizens of New England. 



Haverhill is so situated as to com- 
mand an extensive inland trade : it 
is easily approached from Boston 
by the Andover and Wilmington 
rail-road, which is extending to Ex- 
eter, N. H., and from thence to 
Maine. 

Haverhill, the Indian Pentuck- 
ett, was first settled in 1641 : it was 
a frontier settlement for nearly half 
a centurjr and suffered great calam- 
ities by savage depi-edations. 

It was incorporated in 1645. — 
Population, 1820, 3,070; 1830, 3.- 
896 ; 1837, 4,726. 

Ha^vley, Blass. 

Franklin CO. Hawley is on el- 
evated ground, and watered by 
branches of Deerfield river. The 
soil is good for grazing, and feeds 
about 3,000 sheep. A consider- 
able quantity of leather is tanned 
in this town. Incorporated, 1792. 
Population, 1837, 995. Hawley 
has good iron ore and some iron 
works. It lies 107 miles W. by N. 
from Boston, and 14 W. by S. from 
Greenfield. 

Haj'iiesville, Me. 

Washington county. See " Dowc 

East." 

HcatliL, Mass. 

Franklin go. A mountainous 
township good for grazing sheep, of 
which 2,312 were kept in 1837. 
There arc in Heath some manufac- 
tures of leather, boots, shoes and 
palm-leaf hats. Incorporated, 1785. 
Population, 1837, 953. It lies 125 
miles W. N. W. from Boston, and 
13 W. N. W. from Greenfield. 

Heliron, Me. 

Oxford CO. This is a good farm- 
ing town, lying S. E. from Paris 
about 7 miles, and 42 W. S. W . 
fiom Augusta. Incorporated, 1792. 
Population, 1837, 972. 

Hel>ron, N. H., 

Grafton co., lies 9 miles S. W, 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



from Plymouth, and 40 N. W. from 
Concoi-il. A coiisiiicral)le part of 
Newfound lake lies in the S. E. 
part of this town. It has no river, 
nor any important streams. Near- 
ly one Iiaif of this town was inchi- 
ded in the grant of Cockermouth, 
now Groton. The remaining part 
was taken from Plymouth. It was 
incorporated, 1792. Population in 
1830, 533. 

Hebrou, Ct. 

Tolland co. Hop river, a branch 
of the Willimantic, waters this town. 
The village of Hebron, with its 
Gothic church, 20 miles S. E. from 
Hartford, and 14 S. from Tolland, 
is pleasant and commands a good 
prospect. There are in the town 2 
cotton, 1 woolen, and 1 paper, mills ; 
a large iron furnace and other man- 
ufactories. The surface of the 
town is hilly, but fei-tile. North 
pond in the S. part of the town is a 
handsome sheet of watei-. Hebron 
was first settled, 1704. Incorpora- 
ted, 1707. Population, 18.30,1,939. 

Heiiniker, JV. H. 

Merrimack co. It is 23 miles N. 
TV. from Amherst, and 15 W. from 
Concord. Contoocook river passes 
easterly through its centre, and di- 
vides the town into nearly equal 
portions of territory and population. 
Its course is rather circuitous, and 
in many places presents scenes of 
considerable interest and beauty. 
Few places afford better prospects 
for the successful operation of wa- 
ter machinery than this. There 
are several ponds of considerable 
size. Long pond is the largest, be- 
ing between 1 and 2 miles in length, 
and from 40 to 80 rods wide — situa- 
ted 1 mile N.of the centre village. 
Craney hill is the principal eleva- 
tion, and embraces a large portion 
of territory on the S. of the town. 
It is mostly in a state of cultivation. 
The soil of the hills is favorable for 
wheat— the valleys produce good 
crops of corn. 



Hcnniker was granted in 1752, 
under the name of J\/^tiiiiber 6. Its 
settlement commenced in 17fil. It 
was incorporated in 1768, when it 
received its present name from Gov. 
Wentworlh, in honor of his friend 
Henniker, probably John Henni- 
ker, Esq., a merchant in London and 
a member of the British parliament 
at that time. Population, in 1830, 
1,725. 

Ilerinoii, Me. 

Penobscot co. A good township 
of land, 7 miles W. from Bangor. A 
large pond and the Sowadabscook 
river water its S. W. corner. In 
1837, 1,870 bushel of wheat was 
raised. Incorporated, 1814. Pop- 
ulation, 1837, 535. 

Iligligate, Vt. 

Franklin co. This town lies on 
the E. side of Lake Champlain, at 
the N. W. corner of New Eng- 
land, and of the United States. It 
is 60 miles N. W. from Montpe- 
lier, and 12 N. from St. Albans. 
First settled, about 1784. The soil 
is generally sandy, in some parts 
swampy. Bog iron ore, of a good 
quality, is found here. There are 
many mill privileges in Highgate, 
particularly at a fall of the river 
Missisque, where are iron works, 
and other manufactories. The 
scenery at this place is quite wild 
and picturesque. Population, 1830, 
2,038. Highgate is a place of con- 
siderable trade with Canada, and 
down the lake. 

Hill, Bf. H. 

Grafton co. This town is 24 miles 
N. N. W. from Concord, and 44 S. 
S. E. from Haverhill. It is watered 
by Pemigewasset and Smith's 
rivers, and several small streams. 
Eagle pond is the only one of note. 
Ragged mountain is a considerable 
elevation, and but little inferior to 
Kearsarge. Viewed from the sum- 
mit of the neighboring hills, this 
town appears very uneven, yet 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



there are many fine tracts converted 
into productive farms. The soil in 
some parts is rich and fertile — it is 
generally good. There is at the S. 
E. section of the town, a "flourish- 
ing village, situated on a spacious 
street 1 mile in length. 

This town was granted Sept. 14, 
1753, to 87 proprietoi-s, who held 
their fii'st meeting at Chester, and as 
the greater part of the inhabitants 
belonged to that place, it was called 
New Chester; which name it retain- 
ed until Jan. 1837, when it was 
changed to the name of Hill, in 
compliment to the then governor 
Hill. The first settlement was in 
1768. 

In Dec. 1820, six children of Mr. 
William Follansbee were consum- 
ed in the flames of his house, while 
he and his wife were absent. In- 
corporated, 1778. Population, 1830, 
1,090. 

Hillsljorougli County, N. H. , 

Amherst is the shire town. Hills- 
borough has Merrimack county on, 
the N., Kockingham on the E., the 
jtate of Massachusetts on the S., 
and Cheshire county on the W. 
The surface of this county is gen- 
3i'ally uneven, though there are but j 
few lofty mountains. Lyndebo- 
rough mountain, in the township of 
Lyndeborough, the Unconoonock, 
in Gotfstown, Crotched, in Frances- 
town and Society Land, are of con- 
siderable altitude. 

This section of New Hampshire 
is well watered. The noble and ma- 
jestic Merrimack passes its south- 
eastern border. At Nashua, the 
Nashua, a beautiful stream from 
Massachusetts, discharges its wa- 
ters into the Merrimack. North of 
the Nashua, the Souhegan and Pis- 
cataquog, streams of much value and 
consequence to the manufacturing 
interests, discharge themselves in- 
to the Merrimack ; the former in 
the township of Merrimack, the 
latter in Bedford. Part of a large 
collection of water, denominated a 



lake, the Massabesick, on the E. 
boundary of Manchester. Besides 
these there are numerous ponds, 
interspersed through the whole ex- 
tent of territory. Some of the 
largest of these are Gregg's pond, 
in Antrim, Pleasant pond, in Fran- 
ceslovvn, Babboosuck pond, in Am- 
herst, and Potanipo, in Brookline. 
There arc several mineral springs 
which have been found serviceable 
in cutaneous affections, but no one 
has yet acquired general celebrity. 
Minerals have been found in vari- 
ous places, but not in great abun- 
dance. 

This county possesses many advan- 
tages for manufactuiing establish- 
ments, and it is gratifying to find 
that many of its citizens are turn- 
ing their attention to this branch of 
national and individual wealth. 

The settlement of this county 
was made at Nashua, lately Dun- 
stable, some years before the war 
with king Philip, in 1(>75. It was 
constituted a county by an act of 
the General Assembly, 19 March. 
1771.. It received its name from 
the Earl of Hillsborough, one of 
the privy council of George III. 
The population, in 1775, was 13,- 
132; in 1790, 24,536; in 1800,31,- 
260; in 1810, 34,410; in 1820, 
35,761; and in 1830, 37,762. In 
1837, there were 45,511 slieep in 
this county. 

Killstoorougli, N. H. 

Hillsborough co. It is 23 miles 
N. W. from Amherst, 24 W. S. W. 
fiom Concord. This town is well 
watered. Contoocook river passes 
through the S. E. corner, and affoi-ds 
several excellent water privileges. 
Hillsborough river has its source 
from ponds in Washington ; runs in a 
S. E. course through the whole ex- 
tent of Hillsboi'ough, receiving the 
outlets of several ponds on the E., 
and forms a junction with the Con- 
toocook, on the S. line of tliis town. 
The land here is uneven, but it af- 
fords many good farms. There is 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



a pleasant village on the 2d New 
Hanipsliire turnpike, which passes 
N. W. through this town, contain- 
ing a number of dwelling houses, 
stores, mills, and a cotton and wool- 
en factory. 

Hillsborough was formerly known 
by the name of A'ttmbtr 7 of fron- 
tier towns. The tirst settlement 
wa3 made in 1741. The first chil- 
dren born in Hillsborough were 
John JNrCalley and Mary Gibson, 
who intermarried, and received as 
a gift a tract of land, from the prin- 
cipal proprietor. It was incorpo- 
rated in 1772. Population, 1S30, 
1,792. 

Hiuesliurgli, Vt. 

Chittenden co. Piatt river and 
Lewis creek water this town. A 
part of the town is mountainous, 
but the soil is generally very good, 
particularly for grazing. About 
.9,000 sheep are kept here, and 
some products of the farms are ex- 
ported. Hinesburgh contains a 
pleasant village, and numerous 
manufacturing operations are found 
on its streams. First settled about 
1785. Population, 1830, 1,G69. It 
lies 13 miles S. S. E. from Burling- 
ton, and 26 W. from Monfpelier. 

Hingliam, Mass. 

Plymouth co. A pleasant town 
on Boston harbor, and an agreeable 
resort for citizens and strangers. 
It lies 11 miles S. E. from Boston, 
by water, and 14 by land. Hing- 
ham cove is 5 miles S. W. fi-om 
Nantaskct beach, about 6 W. from 
Cohassct harbor, and 24 N. N. W. 
from Plymouth. First settled, 16.33. 
Incorporated, 1635. Population, in 
1830, 3,357 ; 1837, 3,445. 

Major-general Benjamin Lin- 
coln, was born in this town, Jan. 
23, 1733; he died May 9, 1810. 

This town is remarkable for its 
healthiness and longevity. Dur- 
ing 50 years, 8 persons died in one 
house, whose average age was 84 I 
years. 

IC* 



About 80 sail of vessels belong to 
this place, which are engaged in 
the cod and mackerel fishery, and 
coasting trade ; — aggregate tonnage 
about 5,000 tons. 

In this town is an ii'on foundry, 
considerable ship building, a steam 
bucket factory ; and large quanti- 
ties of other wooden wares are 
manufactured, and some salt. 

The amount of manufactures of 
Hingham, for the year ending April 
1, 1837, was .f 237^078. They con- 
sisted of leather, boots, shoes, iron 
castings, hats, ploughs, cabinet, tin 
and wooden wares, silk, salt, ves- 
sels, umbrellas, spars and blocks, 
cordage, carriages, hammers, and 
hatchets. The product of the cod 
and mackerel fisherj-, the same 
year, was $113,700. Total amount 
of the fishery and manufactures 
.'«;350,778. 

Derby Academy, a free school, 
and the Willard Private Academy, 
are highly respectable seminaries, 
and promise great privileges to pa- 
rents. 

A commodious steam-boat plies 
between this and Boston, in sum- 
mer months, two or three times a 
day. The hotels are large, and 
furnish excellent accoijimodations. 
Baker's Hill presents extensive and 
delightful views of Boston harbor. 
An excursion to Hingham is very 
pleasant. 

Hinsdale, N. H. 

Cheshire co. It is 75 miles S. 
W. bj' W. from Concord. It is well 
watered with springs and rivulets 
of the purest water. The Connec- 
ticut washes its western border; 
and the Ashuelot runs through the 
centre, forming a junction with the 
Connecticut, a little below the great 
bend, called Cooper's point. Kil- 
burn brook Hses in Pisgah moun- 
tain, runs S. and fails into Ashuelot 
river. Ash-swamp brook rises in 
West river mountain, runs a S. W. 
course, and falls into the Connecti- 
cut, near the side of Hinsdale's fort. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



There are several islands in the Con- 
necticut in this town. On the N. 
line of Hinsdale, is West river 
mountain, which extends from the 
banks of the Connecticut, E. across 
the whole width of the town. Its 
greatest elevation is at the W. end. 
President Dvvight states the height 
above low Water mark to be from 
800 to 900 feet. In this mountain is 
found iron ore, and some other min- 
erals and fossils. South of Ashue- 
lot, is Stebbins' hill, a tract of ex- 
cellent land, and principally in a 
high state of cultivation. The in- 
tervales here are extensive, and 
of an excellent quality. On the 
point of a hill, not far from Con- 
necticut river, there is to be seen 
the remains of an Indian fortifica- 
tion, constructed prior to the set- 
tlement of the town. There is a 
deep trench drawn across the hill, 
to separate it from the plain back, 
and is continued to the river. 

Hinsdale was incorporated in 
175.3. It was originally a part of 
Northiield, and was settled as early 
as 168.3. The former name of this 
place was Fort Dummer and Bridg. 
man's Fort. This town encoun- 
tered all the difficulties of the In- 
dian wars, and- struggled with oth- 
er hardships incident to frontier 
settlements, begun in the wilder- 
ness and remote from cultivated 
lands. Population, 1S30, 937. 

Hinsdale, Mass. 

Berkshire co. Hinsdale is the 
source of a branch of Housatonick 
river. It is an elevated township, 
and well adapted for grazing. — 
There are two woolen mills in 
Hinsdale, and manufactures of 
boots, shoes, leather, hats, chairs, 
and cabinet ware : total amount in 
one year ^86,550. The value of 
11,020 fleeces of wool, sheared in 
Hinsdale in 1S37, weighina; 32,116 
pounds, was $19,266. This town 
was incorporated in 1804. Poi)ula- 
tion, 1837, 832. It lies 125 miles 



W. .from Boston, and 15 N. N. W. 
from Lenox. 

Hiram, Me. 

Oxford CO. This town lies on 
both sides of a branch of Saco riv- 
er, 86 miles W. S. W. from Augus- 
ta, and 40 S. W. from Paris. The 
townsliip is fertile and productive 
of wool and wheat. Incorporated, 
1807. Population, 1830, 1,148. 

Hodgdon, Me. 

Washington co. Incorporated, 
1832: 179 miles from Augusta. In 
1S37, with a population of 552, it 
produced 3,184 bushels of wheat. 
See " Down East." 

Holdeu, Mass. 

Worcester co. This town is fine- 
ly watered by branches of Black- 
stone and Nashua rivers. It has a 
valuable water power on Quinipox- 
et river. It has some good mead- 
ow land on the borders of the 
streams. There are S cotton and 
2 woolen mills in the town, and 
manufactui'es of leather, boots, shoes, 
straw bonnets, and palm-leaf hats ; 
total amount of the manufactures 
for the year ending April 1, 1837, 
$201,960. Holden is 48 miles W. 
liom Boston, and 6 N. W. from 
Worcester. Incorporated, 1740. — 
Population, 1837, 1,789. 

Holderiiess, W. H. 

Grafton co. It is 65 miles N. W. 
from Portsmouth, and 40 N. from 
Concord. The soil is hard and not 
easily cultivated, but when sub- 
dued is tolerably productive. From 
the sap of the sugar maple, a con- 
siderable quantity of sugar is made. 
The Pemigewasset imparts a por- 
tion of its benefits to this place, and 
there are various other streams 
which serve to fertilize the soil, and 
to furnish mill seats. Squam river, 
the Qutlct of Squam ponds, runs in 
a S. W. direction and empties into 
the Pemigewasset near the S. W. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



angle of the town. This stream 
affords excellent mill privileges, 
having on it 2 paper mills and oth- 
er machinery. There arc 3 ponds 
or lakes. 

The road from Plymouth through 
this place to Winnepisiogee lake, 
and along the horders of that lake 
to Wolfeborough is highly interest- 
ing ; displaying scenery which is 
scarcely equalled in this part of 
our country. Holderness was lii-st 
granted in 1751. The tirst settle- 
ment was made about the year 
1763. Population, 1830, 1,429. 

Holland, Vt. 

Orleans CO. This is an excellent 
township of land, producing in great 
abundance all the varieties common 
to the climate. Previous to the 
year 1800, it was a wilderness. It 
is bounded N. by Canada: 56 miles 
N. N. E. from Montpelior and 20 
N. E. from Irasbuigh. Population, 
1830, 432. 

Holland, Mass. 

Hampden co. Holland was tak- 
en from Brinifield in 1785. It lies 
70 miles S. \V. by W. from Boston, 
and 20 E. by S. from Springfield. 
Population, 1837, 4.95. Holland 
has several ponds, and is otherwise 
watered by Quinnebaugh river. 
There is a cotton mill in the town, 
and 658 sheep. 

HoUis, Me. 

York CO. This town lies on the 
W. bank of Saco river, and contains 
numerous mill sites. Incorporated, 
1812. Population, 1837, 2,374. It 
lies 72 miles S. W. from Augusta, 
and 30 N. from York. 

Hollis, K. H. 

Hillsborough co. It is 8 miles 
S. from Amherst, and 36 S. from 
Concord. Nashua river waters the 
S. E. part, and Nisitissit crosses 
the S. W. extremity. There are 4 
ponds, known by the name of 
Flint's, Penichook, Long and Rocky 



ponds. There is a pleasant village 
near the centre of the town, on a 
site somewhat elevated. The ori- 
ginal name of Hollis was J\lsitis- 
sit, its Indian name. The first 
settlement was made in 1731. It 
was incorporated in April, 1746. — 
The name is either derived from 
Tliomas Hollis, a distinguished ben- 
efactor of Harvard college, or from 
the Duke of New Castle. Popu- 
lation, 1830, 1,501. 

Holliston, Mass. 

Middlesex co. First settled, 1710. 
Incorporated, 1724. Population in 
1837, 1,775. It lies 24 miles S. W. 
by W. from Boston, and 21 S. from 
Concord. There is a woolen mill 
in the town, and some manufactures 
of boots, shoes, leather, chairs and 
cabinet ware, combs, ploughs, straw 
bonnets, books, clothing, wagons 
and harnesses: total value in one 
year .$335,948. The value of boots 
and shoes amounted to $241,626, 
employing 461 hands. Holliston 
is watered by a small branch of 
Charles river. 

Holmes' Hole, Mass. 

See Tishury. 

Hooksett, ]V. H. 

Merrimack co. It lies nine miles 
S. S. E. from Concord. The river 
Merrimack, whose course here is 
nearly N. and S., passes through 
this town a little W. of the centre. 
Here are those beautiful falls, known 
by the name of Hooksett Falls. — 
The descent of water is about 16 
feet perpendicular in SO rods. A 
high rock divides the stream, and a 
smaller rock lies between that and 
the western shore. There is a 
pleasant village on the W. side of 
the river. There is a strong and 
well built bridge over Merrimack 
river. Hooksett canal is in this 
town. It is 1-4 of a mile long — the 
fall is 16 feet perpendicular. Hook- 
sett was detached from Chester, 
GofTstown and Dunbarton, and in- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



corporated as a separate town in 
June, 1822. On the E. side of tlie 
river is an extensive cotton factory, 
owned by the Amoskeag Company. 
Population, 1830,880. 

Hoosack Kiver and Mountain. 

Two branches of the Hoosack, 
Hosick, or Hoosick river, rise in 
New England : one in the high 
hinds in the county of Berkshire, 
Mass. ; the other in the mountain- 
ous tracts of Bennington county, 
Vt. These branches unite near 
Hoosack Falls, in the state of New 
York, about 3 miles W. of the cel- 
ebrated Bennington battle ground. 
Hoosack river meets the Hudson 
at Schagthicoke, 15 miles N. of 
Troy, N. Y. This stream, in many 
places, is exceedingly rapid in its 
course, and affords a great number 
of mill sites. 

Hoosack mountain lies princi- 
pally in Clarksburgh and Berkshire, 
Mass., and is the source of a branch 
of Hoosack river. Its elevation is 
from 1,500 to 2,000 feet from its 
base. 

I Kope, Me. 

Waldo CO. Hope is a township 
of choice land, having Camden and 
Megunticook lake on its south-east- 
ern border. It lies 44 miles E. S. 
E. from Augusta, and 16 .S. by W. 
from Belfast. Hope produced in 
1837, 3,142 bushels of wheat. Pop- 
ulation, same year, 1,733. Incoi- 
porated, 1804. 

Hopfeinton, Ti. H. 

Merrimack co. It is 28 miles N. 
from Amherst, 7 W. from Concord, 
46 N. E. from Keene, 30 S. E. from 
Newport, 50 \V. from Portsmouth, 
and 65 N. N. W. from Boston. Con- 
toocook river flows from Henniker 
into the south-westerly part of this 
town, and meanders in a N. E. di- 
rection. In its course it receives 
Warner and Blackwater rivers, and 
several large brooks, and empties 



into Merrimack river at Concord. 
On these streams are some valuable 
tracts of intervale and meadow lands' 
The principal village in Hopkinton 
is 7 miles from the state-house in 
Concord. In this town the county 
jail is located. In the W. part of 
the town is a thriving village on 
the Contoocook river, known as 
HilVs Bridge, or Contoocookville, 
where is a valuable water power, 
and several mills. Hopkinton was 
granted Jan. 16, 1735, to John Jones 
and others, and was called JK'umber 
5, and afterwards J\~ew- Hopkinton. 
The first settlement was made about 
1740, by emigrants from Hopkinton, 
Mass. This town sufTei'ed from In- 
dian depredations. Population in 
1830, 2,474. 

Ilopkintou, Mass. 

Middlesex county. Branches of 
Charles and Mill rivers rise in this 
town, on which are manufacturing 
establishments. There are 3 cot- 
ton mills in Hopkinton, and manu- 
factures of boots and shoes, ($152,- 
300,) leather, ploughs, and straw 
bonnets : total value, the vear end- 
ing April 1, 1837, .$217,550. The 
town was incorporated in 1715. 
Population, 1830, 1,809 ; 1837, 
2,166. 

The mineral spring in this town 
has become celebrated. Jt con- 
tains carbonic acid, and carbonate 
of lime and iron. It is situated near 
White Hall pond, which abounds 
in fine fi.sh of various kinds. The 
Boston and Worcester rail road 
passes within 3 1-2 miles of it, at 
Westborough, and it is 7 miles from 
the Blackstone canal, at North- 
bridge. It is 30 miles W. S. W. 
from Boston, 14 E. by S. from Wor- 
cester, and 30 N. by AV. from Pro- 
vidence, R. I. There is a large and 
convenient hotel at this place, at 
which visitors for health or plea- 
sure are kindly entertained. A trip 
to Hopkinton springs is both plea- 
sant and fashionable. 



i 



NEW EXGLAXD GAZETTEER. 



Hopkintoii, K. I. 

Washington co. Wood river, a 
valuable mill stream, passes througli 
this town, on which are cotton and 
woolen mills, iron works, and vari- 
ous other manufactories. The soil 
of the town is generally well adapt- 
ed for grazing, and the cultivation 
of grain. It produces large quanti- 
ties of fruit and excellent cider. 
Shad and alewives arc taken in 
Pawcatuek river. There arc seve- 
ral ponds within the town. Con- 
siderable wood and timber are sent 
to market from this place. 

Hopkinton City, at the south 
part of the town, on the Tomma- 
quaug branch of Charles river, is 
verj' pleasant and flourishing. It 
lies 35 miles S. W. from Provi- 
dence, and 15 W. from South 
Kingston. Hopkinton was lirst set- 
tled in 1<560. Incorporated, 1757. 
Population, 1S30, 1,777. 

Houltoii, Me. 

Washington co. This town is 
situated on the east line of tlie state 
and of the United States, on the 
border of the Province of New 
Brunswick. It lies 120 miles N. 
N. E. from Bangor, and about 75 
W. N. W. from Frederickton, the 
capital of New Brunswick. The 
town was first settled in ISOS, and 
for twenty years it was entirely cut 
ofT from all communication with the 
western part of the state by a dense 
wilderness of nearly 100 miles in 
extent. 

In 1829, a military post, the "Han- 
cock Barracks," was established 
here by the U. S. government, and 
in 1834 the military and state roads 
between Bangor and Houlton were 
completed and opened for travel. 
The great thoroughfare between 
the United States and the British 
Province of New Brunswick is 
through this town. The loads be- 
tween Bangor and Houlton are" ex- 
cellent: stages pass and repass from 
Bangor through Houlton to Frede- 



rickton, thre« times a week. Fred- 
erickton is SO miles N. N. W. from 
St. Johns. A good road between 
Houlton and Calais, on the river 
St. Croix, about 90 miles distant, is 
now open for travel. This town is 
well watered by branches of Me- 
duxnekeag river, which empties 
into the St. John's. The garrison is 
located about a mile noi'th of the 
village, and has generally contain- 
ed four companies of infantry. In 
this tow^n the courts of probate arc 
held, and the oflice of registry of 
deeds kept for the northern district 
of Washington county. 

The soil of Houlton and its vicin- 
ity is of a supeiior quality. Twen- 
ty-five bushels of wheat to the acre 
is an average crop : 40 bushels to 
the acre is frequently obtained. — 
Houlton, with a population of 6{>7, 
raise(l'^,869 bushels of wheat in the 
year 1837. 

We have heard it is said, that per- 
sons might go so far " down east" 
as to "jump ofT." If Houlton is 
the jumping off place, we advise 
some of our western brethren to go 
and view the precipice. 

Ilousatonick River. 

The sources of this river are in 
the towns of Lanesborough and 
Windsor, Berkshire county, Mass. 
The two branches meet at Pitts- 
ficld, where the river forms ; it then 
passes south, through Berkshire 
county, and enters the state of Con- 
necticut. Aftermeandcring through 
the county of Litchfield, in that 
state, it se|)arates the counties of 
New Haven and Fairfield, and 
meets the tide water at Derby, 14 
miles above it's entrance into Long 
Island Sound. The source of this 
mountain stream is more than 1,000 
feet above the ocean ; and in its 
course, of nearly 150 miles, it af- 
fords numerous mill sites, and pre- 
sents many pleasant and well cul- 
tivated towns. The volume of wa- 
ter of this river is not very large, 
except in seasons of freshet, when 



NEAV ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



the rains from tlie mountains that 
environ its borders, inundate the 
valleys and greatly fertilize the soil. 
The scenery on the Hou?atpnick 
is exceedingly beautiful ; in some 
places it is enchanting. The roman- 
tic cataract at Canaan, Conn., of 60 
feet pei-pendicular, is Avell worthy 
the notice of travellers. The In- 
dian name of th^is ' river, srgnifies 
over the mountains. A vocabula- 
rj^ of Indian names, so heautifui and 
expressive, would be not only cu- 
rious hut valuable. 

Hovi'laiid, M«. 

Penobscot co. This is a large 
township of good land, in which the 
Piscataquis and Seboois rivers form 
a junction : at the mouth of the fo;-- 
mer, about 50 rods from the Penob- 
scot, are several saw mills. The 
banks of the river are low and Ve- 
rj!^ beautiful. Rowland was incor- 
porated in 1826. It lies 117 miles 
N. E. from Augusta, and 34 N. from 
Bangor. Population, 1830, 329 ; 
1837, 507. 

Hubltardstoii, Vt« 

Rutland co. Elizabeth Hickok, 
the daughter of Elizabeth and Uriah 
Hickok, was the first white child 
born in this town. This event oc- 
curred in 1774. The face of the 
town is uneven, and in some parts 
mountainous. It is watered by se- 
veral ponds, the largest of which, 
Ijing partly in Sudbury, is Grego- 
n/s j)ond, the outlet of which is 
called Hubhardston river. This 
river empties into Lake Champlain 
at West Haven, and is an excellent 
mill stream. The village at the 
northwesterly part of the town is 
pleasant and flourishing : it con- 
tains mills for the manufacture of 
various articles. 

Hubhardston lies 50 miles S. W. 
from Montpelier, and 10 N. W. from 
Rutland. Population, 1830, 863. 

Iliibbardston, Mass. 

Worcester co. Hubhardston is 



on elevated ground, and the source 
of several branches of Ware river. 
There is much unimproved water 
power in the town. There are con- 
siderable tracts of valuable mead- 
ow land, and the uplands are good 
for grazing. It was incorporated 
in 1737. Population, 1837, 1,780. 
The manufactures of the town con- 
sist o^ copperas, leather, boots,shoes, 
palm-leiif hats, chairs, cabinet and 
wooden wares. Hubhardston lies 
54 miles W. from Boston, and 22 
S. from TV'orcester. 

Mudsoii, ]V. H. 

Hillsborough co. This town lies 
17 miles S. E. from Amherst, and 
33 S. from Concord. The land here 
is of easy cultivation. On the river 
are fine intervales, of a deep rich 
soil. Distant from the river, the 
land isJiilly and somewhat broken. 
There are two ponds, known by th% 
nanje of Little Massabesick, and 
Otiernick ponds. This town was 
included in the grant of Dunstable, 
and was settled as early as 1710. 
The first settlements were made on 
the banks of the river, where the 
Indians had cleared fields for culti- 
vating corn. The first inhabitants 
lived in garrisons. ArVhile the men 
were abroad in the lields and forests, 
the women and children were lodg- 
ed in these places of security. 
Near the Indian cornfields have 
been found cinders of a blacksmith's 
forge, which have led to the con- 
jecture that they employed a smith 
to manufacture their implements of 
war and agriculture. Incorporated, 
1746, by the name of Nottingham- 
West, which it retained until July 
1, 1830, when it was changed to 
Hudson. Population in 1830, 1,282. 

Hull, Mass. 

Plymouth co. Hull was first set- 
tled about the year 1625. Incor- 
porated, 1644. Population, 1837, 
180. This town comprises the pen- 
insula of Nantasket, which forms 
the S. E. side of Boston harbor. It 



NEW ENGLAND GAZr.TTEER. 



extends N. by W. from Cohasset, 5 
miles, and is celebrated for its beau- 
tiful beach, 4 miles in length, and 
for its shell tish and sea fowl. The 
town lies between two hills of fine 
land, near point Alderton, opposite 
Boston light-house. It lies 9 miles 
E. 8. E. from Boston, by water, and 
22 by land, via Hingham. On one 
of the hills in this place, is a well 
90 feet in depth, which is frcfjuently 
almost full of water. Capital in- 
vested in the manulacture of salt, 
$12,500. 

Hull is remarkable for the una- 
nimity which always prevails i.niong 
its inhabitants in their deliberative 
assemblies, and for a spirit of com- 
promise manifest on all occasions in 
their selection of public servants. 

Iluntiiigtou, A't. 

Chittenden co. First settled, 
1786. Population, in 1830, 929.— 
Huntington lies 20 miles W. from 
Montpelier, and 1.5 S. E. from Burl- 
ington. Huntington river passes 
through this town;, it is a branch 
of Onion river, is rapid in its course, 
aHbrding several towns an abund- 
ant water power. The soil of Hun- 
tington is j)oor : its surface is gen- 
erally too hilly for cultivation. — 
Camel's Back mountain lies in the 
eastei-n part of the town. 

Hnutingtou, Ct. 

Fairfield co. This is a t&wnship 
of uneven surface, but well adapt- 
ed to agricultural purposes, to which 
the inhabitants are i)rincipally de- 
voted. Huntington was incorpora- 
ted, in 1789. It lies 4 miles W. 
from Derby Landing, 12 N. E. from 
Fairtield, and 12 W. fiom New 
Haven. Population, 1830, 1,371. 

Hj'annis Ilarbor, Mass. 

See Barnstable. 

Hyde Park, A't. 

Lamoille CO. County town. The 
Lamoille, Green, and other rivers 
give this town a great water power. 



some of which is advantageously 
improved. The soil is generally of 
a good quality and easily cultiva- 
ted. It lies 24 miles N. from IVIont- 
])elier, and 32 N. E. from Burling- 
ton. Population, 1S30, 823. First 
settled, 1787. 

Indian Rivei-s. 

Indian river. Me., Washington 
county, is a small stream in the town 
of Addison. 

^ Indian stream, N. H., Coos coun- 
ty, is the principal and most north- 
erly source of Connecticut river, 
rising in the highlands near the N. 
limit of the state, and pursuing al- 
most a direct S. W. course to its 
junction with the E. branch flow- 
ing from lake Connecticut. 

Indian river, Vt., rises in. Ru- 
pert, and falls into the Pawlet. An- 
other stream of this name, in Vt., 
rises in Essex, and falls into Col- 
chester bay. 

ludiau Stream Territory. 

Is a tract in New Hampshire N 
of lat. 45°, extending to the British 
possessions in L. Canada. It was 
surveyed in 1805, and contains IgO,- 
S63 acres. Lake Connecticut and 
several considei-able ponds are sit- 
uated within this tract. 

Industry, Me. 

Franklin co. This town borders 
N. W. on Sandy river, and is a 
valuable tract of land. It lies 32 
miles N. W. from Augusta, and is 
bounded S. W. by Farmington. 
Industry was incorporated in 1803: 
it has a pleasant village, and raised, 
in 1837, 6,078 bushels of wheat, 
with a population of 1,014. 

Ips'wich, Mass. 

Essex CO. This is one of the 
shire towns of the county, and a 
port of entry, on a river of the 
same name, sometimes called Jlga- 
vaviAhe Indian name of the place. 
Ipswich village is very pleasant, 
and the counlrv around it is well 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



cultivated, and beavitifully varie- 
gated. There is a cotton mill in 
the town, and a number of vessels 
are engaged in the coasting trade 
and fishery. The manufactures 
consist of cotton goods, hosiery, 
vessels, leather, boots, shoes, chairs, 
and cabinet ware: — total annual 
amount, about $120,000. Ipswicli 
is 12 miles N. by E. from Salem, 
10 S. from Newbury port, and 26 
N. E. by N. from Boston. First 
settled, 1033. Incorporated, 1631. 
Population, 1820, 2,553 : 1837, 2,- 
855. 

Ira, Vt. 

Rutland co. This township is 
elevated: it contains good land for 
rearing cattle : it has about 5,000 
sheep. Castleton river and Ira 
brook wash a part of the town, but 
afford no valuable mill privileges. 
Ira lies 60 miles S. S. W. from 
Montpelier, and 8 S. W. from Rut- 
land. Population, 1830, 442. 

IrastaiirgU, Vt. 

Shire town of Orleans county. 
This township was granteil to Ira 
Allen and others, in 1781. It was 
first settled in 1799. Population, 
1830, 860. It lies 40 miles N. by 
E. from Montpelier, and 30 N. by 
W. from Danville. The surface of 
the town is undulating, with an 
easy soil to cultivate, and general- 
ly fertile. Black and Barton riv- 
ers water the town, but move too 
sluggishly to produce any valuable 
power. 

Isinglass K.ivci*, N. II<, 

Takes its rise from Long pond 
in Barrington, and Bow pond in 
Strafford, and, after receiving the 
watei-s of several other ponds, unites 
with the Cocheco near the S. part 
of Rochester. 

Isles of Slioals. 

These islands, 8 miles from the 
mouth of Portsmouth liarbor, N. H. 
are seven in number, viz : Hog, 



Smutty Nose, Star, Duck, White, 
Malaga, and Londonner islands. 
Hog contains 350 acres of rock, and 
its greatest elevation is 57 feet above 
high water mark. Smutty Nose 
contains about 250 acres of rock 
and soil — greatest elevation 45 feet. 
Star island contains about 180 acres 
of rock and soil, and its height is 55 
feet. These islands, as a town, are 
called Gosj)ort. Star and Smutty 
Nose are inhabited by fishermen, 
who carry on considerable business 
in their way ; supplying Portsmouth 
and the neighboring towns with 
fresh fish, aiid sending large quan- 
tities of cured fish to Boston and 
other places. The celebrated dun 
fish are found here, which have 
heretofore been considered a dis- 
tinct species of the cod. They 
differ however from the common 
cod only in the circumstance of 
their being caught and cured in 
winter. Star island and Smutty 
Nose are connected by a sea ivall, 
built at the expense of government, 
for the purpose of breaking a strong 
south east current passing between 
them, and forming a safe anchor- 
age on the north west side of it. 
These objects have been attained, 
and the miniature fleet of the Shoal- 
ers, riding at anchor in tliis artifi- 
cial harbor, is no unpleasant sight. 
Smutty Nose and Malaga are con- 
nected by a sea wall, built at the 
expense of Mr. Haley, " the King 
of the Shoals." This wall, 14 rods 
in length, 13 feet in height, and 
from 20 to 30 feet in width, effec- 
tually secures Haley's inlet and 
wharf from the easterly storms, 
although the waves not unfrequent- 
ly break over it in a severe storm. 
These islands are composed of ledges 
of gneiss, bearing evidence of their 
igneous origin, as they are often 
traversed by veins of quartz, trap, 
and iron stone. 

There are a few spots of dry soil 
upon them under cultivation. The 
Shoals are a pleasant resort for 
water parties, and their delightful 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEEU. 



bracino; air, cannot be otlierwise 
than advantageous to tlio«e who are 
in want of pure sea breezes. The 
present population is about 100. 

These islands were discovered 
by the celebrated John Smith, in 
1614, and were named by him 
Smith's Isles. The line between 
Maine and New Hampshire passes 
through these islands, leaving the 
largest on the side of Maine. Up- 
on all of them are chasms in the 
rocks, having the appearance of 
being caused by earthquakes. The 
most remarkable is on Star island, 
(Gosport) in which one BcUy Moody 
secreted herself when the Indians 
visited the isLmd and took away 
many female captives ; and thence 
called to this day " Betty JMoody's 
hole." For more than a century 
previous to the revolution, these 
islands were populous, containing 
from Zm to COO souls. They had 
a court-house on Hfiley's island ; 
a meeting-house, first on Hog isl- 
and, and afterwards on Star island. 
From 3 to 4 thousand quintals fish 
were annually caught and cured 
here, and 7 or S schooners, besides 
numerous boats, were employed in 
the business. The business has 
since very greatly decreased. 

William Peppcrell and a Mr. Gib- 
bons, from Topsham, England, were 
among the first settlers at the Shoals; 
the former an ancestor of the cele- 
brated Sir William Peppcrell. 

A woman, of the name of Pul- 
sey, died in Gosport, in 1795, aged 
90. In her life time she kept two 
cows. The hay on which they 
fed in winter, she used to cut in 
summer, among the rocks, with a 
knife, with her own hands. Her 
cows, it was said, were alwaj's in 
good order. They were taken from 
her, but paid for, by the British, in 
1775, and killed, to the no small 
grief of the good old woman. 

Islcsborougli, Me. 

Waldo CO. This town comprises 
a large and fertile island, in Penob- 
17 



scot bay, and several isianos lu i<^« 
vicinity. This island lias excellent 
harbors, and is much frequented by 
fishermen I'.nd coasters. The inliab- 
itants are independent farmers and 
fishei-men, who are accustomed to 
render their insular situation a 
place of comfort to the wayfarer, 
or the invalid in pursuit of ocean 
breezes. Islesborough lies 10 miles 
S. E. fi'om Belfast, and 56 E. from 
Augusta. Incorporated, 17S9. — 
Population, 1837, G74. 

Israel's River, Bf. H., 

Coos CO., is formed by the waters 
which descend in cataracts from the 
summits of Mounts Adams and Jef- 
ferson, and running N. W. it passes 
through Randolph and Jeflcrson, 
discharging itself into the Connec- 
ticut near the centre of Lancaster. 
It is a beautiful stream, and receiv- 
ed its name from Israel Glines, a 
hunter, who with his brother fre- 
quented these regions, long before 
the settlement of the county. 

JacksoM, Mc. 

Waldo CO. An interior township 
of good land that produced, in 1837, 
4,898 bushels of as fine wheat as 
can be raised in Tennessee. Pop- 
ulation, same year, 523. Jackson 
is 49 miles N. E. from Augusta, and 
15 N. N. W. from Belfasf. Incor- 
porated, 1818. 

Jacksou, ]V. II., 

Coos CO., situated on the E. side 
of the White mountains. The sur- 
face of the town is uneven, but the 
soil is rich and productive. It is 
watered principally by the two 
branches of Ellis' river, passing 
from the N. and uniting on the S. 
border near Spruce mountain. — 
The principal elevations are called 
Black, Haldfacc, and Thorn moun- 
tains. Benjamin Copp was the first 
settler ; he moved into Jackson in 
1779, and with his family buffeted 
the terrors of the wilderness four- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



teen years, before any other person 
settled there. The town was in- 
corporated December 4, 1800, by 
the name of Adnnis, which name 
it retained until 1829, when it was 
changed to Jackson. Population, 
in 1830, 515. 

Jaffi-ey, N. II. 

Cheshire co. This town lies 62 
miles N. W. from Boston, and 40 S. 
W. by S. from Concord. The Grand 
Monadnock is situated in the N. VV. 
part of this town and in Dublin. 
Innumerable streams of water issue 
from the mountain. Those which 
issue from the western side dis- 
charge themselves into the Con- 
necticut river; those from the east- 
ern form the head waters of Con- 
toocook river. The largest stream 
rises about 100 rods trom the sum- 
mit, and descends in a S. E. direc- 
tion. With this brook, the thirsty 
and fatigued visitors of the moun- 
tain associate the most pleasing re- 
collections. The uneven soil of 
Jaffrey, affording numerous mead- 
ows, and early and rich pastures, 
is peculiarly adapted to raising cat- 
tle. There are several ponds in 
this town. Out of 3, issue streams 
sufficient to carry mills erected near 
their outlets. In the largest, which 
is 400 rods long, and 140 wide, is 
an island comprising aljout 10 acres. 
About 1 1-2 miles S. E. from the 
mountain is the " Monadnock mine- 
ral spring." The spring is slightly 
impregnated with carbonate of iron 
and sulphate of soda. It preserves 
so uniform a temperature as never 
to have been known to freeze. 
Where the spring issues from the 
earth, yellow ochre is thrown out. 
In this town are a cotton and wool- 
en factory, and various mills. The 
first permanent settlement was made 
in 1758. Jafiiey was incorporated 
in 1773, receiving its name from 
George Jaffrey, Esq., of Portsmouth, 
one of the original proprietors. Pop- 
ulation in 1830, 1,354. 



Jamaica, Vt. 

Windham co. West river water.'j 
this town, and gives good mill seats. 
At a pleasant village near the cen- 
tre of the town are valuable man- 
ufacturing establishments. The sur- 
face of the town is very uneven ; 
in some parts mountainous, but the 
soil is generally good and produc- 
tive. Lime-stone of a good quality 
is found here. Jamaica was tirst 
settled in 1780. Population, 1830, 
1,523. It lies 90 miles S. from 
Montpelier, and 14 N. W. from 
Newfane. 

JamestOMii, R. I, 

Newport co. This town compris- 
es Connanicut, a beautiful island 
in Narraganset bay, about 8 miles 
in length : its average breadth is 
about a mile. The soil is a rich 
loam, and peculiarly adapted for 
grazing and the productioli of In- 
dian corn and barley. 

The inhabitants of this island are 
remarkable for their industry and 
agricultural skill, which, united 
with the fertility of the soil and the 
location of the island, renders it a 
delightful place. The distance from 
the town or island to Newport and 
South Kingston is about a mile each 
way ; to each of those places a fer- 
ry is established. The island was 
purchased of the Indians in 1657. 
Jamestown was incorporated in 
1678. Population, 1830, 415. 

Jay, Me. 

Franklin co. Jay lies at a bend 
of Androscoggin river, 29 miles W. 
by N. from Augusta, and 12 S. S. W. 
from Farmington. There is much 
valuable land in Jay. The inhab- 
itants are principally farmers, and 
cultivate the soil with much indus- 
try. The town produced, in 1837, 
8,129 bushels of wheat, and con- 
siderable wool. Population, 1830, 
1,276; 1837, 1,685. Incorporated, 
1795. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



Jay, Vt. 

Orleans co. A part of this town 
is very mountainous — Jay's peak 
lying in the S. W. part ; the other 
part is good arable land, and would 
produce good crops if well culti- 
vated. A number of streams issue 
from the mountain and produce an 
ample water power. Jay was char- 
tered in 1792, but it was not per- 
manently settled until about ISIG. 
It lies 50 miles N. from IMoiitpe- 
lier, and 15 N. W. from Irasburgh. 
Population, 1S30, 196. 

Jeflersou, Me. 

Lincoln co. This town lies at 
the head of Damariscotta river, and 
embraces a large body of water. 
It is otherwise watered by several 
ponds producing streams for mill 
seats, which give to Jefferson great 
facilities for sawing and transport- 
ing lumber. This is a flourishing 
town in its trade and agricultural 
pursuits; it produced 3, .361 bushels 
of wheat in 1837. Incorporated, 
1807. Population, 1837, 2,246. It 
lies 28 miles E. S. E. from Augus- 
ta, and 15 N. E. from Wiscasset. 
Jefferson, N. H. 

Coos CO. Pondicherry pond, in 
this town, is about 200 rods in di- 
ameter, and is the principal source 
of John's river. Pondicherry bay 
is about 200 rods wide and 100 long. 
Mount Pliny lies in the easterly 
part of this town, and around its 
base there is excellent grazing and 
tillage land. On the S. W. side of 
this mountain are several fine farms, 
which command a most delightful 
view of the White mountains. Is- 
rael's river passes through Jeffer- 
son from S. E. to N. W., and hei-e 
receives a considerable branch. The 
town was tii-st settled about the year 
1773. Jefferson is 77 miles N. from 
Concord, and 9 S. E. from Lancas- 
ter. Population, 1830, 495. 

Jerico, Vt> 

Chittenden co. First settled, 1774. 



Population, 1830, 1,654. Jerico lies 
25 miles N. W. from INIontpelier, 
and 12 E. from Burlington. This 
town lies on the N. side of Onion 
river, and is otherwise finely sup- 
plied with mill seats by Brown's 
river and other streams. The soil 
varies in quality, from good inter- 
vale, on the streams, to common 
grazing pastures, on the hills. There 
is a pleasant village at the falls, on 
lirown's river, and some manufac- 
tories. 

Johuson, Vt. 

Lamoille co. Johnson was first 
settled in 1784, by a revolutionary 
hero, of the name of Samuel Ea- 
ton. Mr. Eaton frequently passed 
through this township, while scout- 
ing between Connecticut river and 
lake Champlain ; and several times 
encamped on the same flat which 
he afterwards occupied as a farm, it 
being a beautiful tract of intervale. 
Like many other settlers of this 
state, he had many difficulties to 
encounter. In indigent circumstan- 
ces, and with a numerous family, 
he loaded his little all upon an old 
horse, and set out in search of that 
favorite spot which he had selected 
in his more youthful days. He 
had to travel nearly 70 miles through 
the wilderness, guided by the trees 
which had been marked by the 
scouts, and opening a path as he 
passed along. He depended, for 
some time after he arrived at John- 
son, entirely upon hunting and fish- 
ing for the support of himself and 
family. 

The river Lamoille enters this 
township near the southeast cor- 
ner, and running westerly about 
two miles, through a rich tract of 
intervale, falls over a ledge of rocks 
about 15 feet in height into a basin 
below. This is called Jli' Conner's 
falls. Thence it runs northwest- 
erly over a bed of rocks, .about 100 
rods, narrowing its channel and in- 
creasing its velocity, when it forms 
a whirlpool and sinks under a bar- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



rier of rocks, which extends across 
the river. The arch is of solid 
rock, is about eiglit feet wide, aud 
at low water is passed over by 
footmen with safety. The water 
rises below through numerous aper- 
tures, exhibiting the appearance of 
the boihng of a pot. 

The surface of this township is 
uneven, being thrown into ridges, 
which are covered with hemlock, 
spruce and hard wood. The soil is 
a dark, or yellow loam, mixed with 
a ligSit sand, is easily tilled, and 
very productive. The alluvial fiats 
are considerably extensive, bat back 
from (he river the lands are, in 
some parts rather stony. In the 
northeastern part has been discov- 
ered a quantity of soapstone. 

The village, in Johnson, is very 
pleasant, and contains a number of 
mills, for the manufacture of vari- 
ous articles. Johnson lies 2S miles 
N. by W. from Montpelicr. and 6 
N. W. from Hyde Park. Popula- 
tion, 1830, 1,079. 

Jolinstuu, R. I. 

Providence co. This town lies 
5 miles W. from Providence, from 
which it was taken in 17.59. It is 
pleasantly variegated by hills and 
vales, with a soil adapted to the cul- 
ture of corn and barley, and par- 
ticularly to all sorts of vegetables 
and fruits, of which large quantities 
are annually sent to Providence 
market. The quarries of freestone 
in Johnston are valuable ; they sup- 
ply the wants, not only of the city 
and immediate vicinity, but distant 
places, with that useful material. 
The Wonasquatucket and Pochasset 
rivers with their tributary streams 
give this town a good hydraulic pow- 
er. Beautiful manufacturing vil- 
lages are scattered along the banks 
of these waters, presenting to the 
eye of the traveller the pleasant 
union of our agricultural and man- 
ufacturing interests. Population, 
1830, 2,113. 



Joiiesborottgli, 5Ic. 

AVashington co. This town has 
Chandler's river and the head of 
Englishman's bay on the E., Jones- 
port on the S., and the town of Ad- 
dison on the W. Incorporated, 1809. 
Population, 1837, 435. It lies 134 
miles E. by N. from Augusta, and 
12 S. W. from Machias. 

Jouesjjort, Me. 

Washington co. Taken from Jones- 
borough in 1836, and is bounded N. 
by Jonesborough, E. by English- 
man's bay, S. by Mispeeky reach, 
and W. by Addison bay and har- 
bor. This place has an excellent 
harbor, and is finely located for ship 
building, the fisheries and coasting 
trade. It lies 138 miles E. by N. 
from Augusta, and 16 S. W. from 
Machias! Population, 1837, 581 
Beal and Head islands lie off vS. 
from Jonesport. 

Juclitli Point, R. I. 

A noted headland in South Kings- 
ton, 11 miles S. S.W. from Newport, 
in N. lat. 41° 24', W. Ion. 71° 35'. 
A light-house was erected liere in 
1310, the tower of which is 35 feet 
in height. This point opens to the 
ocean about midway between Vine- 
yard and Long Island Sounds. — 
When off this place, travellers un- 
accustomed to the sea frequently 
experience some little inconveni- 
ence for a few miles. From this 
light, Montauk, on Long Island, 
bears about S. W. 30 miles, and Gay 
Head, on Martha's Vineyard, about 
E. by S., 85 miles. 

Ivatalitliu MoTiiitaiii, Me. 

This celebrated mountain, the 
greatest elevation in the state, lies 
between the eastern and western 
branches of Penobscot river, in the 
county of Piscataquis, about eighty 
Uiiles N. N. W. from Bangor, and 
120 N. N. E. from Augus'ta. Dr. 
Jackson has ascertained its height 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



to be 5,300 feet above the level of 
the sea. The Indians had a notion 
that this mountain was the abode 
of supernatural beings. It is steep 
and rugged, and stands in almost 
solitary grandeur. It may be seen 
in a clear day from Bangor. Those 
who have visited its summit pro- 
nounce the scenery unrivalled in 
sublimity. 

Kearsarge Mouutaiii, IX. H., 

In the county of Merrimack, sit- 
uated between the towns of Sutton 
and Salisbury, extending into both 
towns. The line between AVilmot 
and Warner passes over the sum- 
mit. Kearsarge is elevated 2,4()1 
feet above the level of the sea, and 
is the highest mountain in Merri- 
mack county. Its summit is now 
a bare mass of granite, presenting 
an irregular and broken surface ; 
the sides are covered with a thick 
growth of wood. The prospect from 
this mountain, in a clear sky, is 
very wide and beautiful. 

Kecue, IV. H., 

Chief town of Cheshire co., is one 
of the most flourishing towns in 
N. H. It is 80 miles W. N. W. from 
Boston, 60 S. from Dartmouth col- 
lege, 43 S.S. E. from Windsor, Vt., 
40 W. from Amherst, and 55 W. S. 
W. from Concord. The soil is of va- 
rious kinds and generally good. 

Ashuelot river has its source in a 
pond in Washington, and discharges 
itself into the Connecticut, at Hins- 
dale, 20 miles distant from Keene. 
Keene has been called one of the 
" prettiest villages" in New Eng- 
land ; and president Dwight, in his 
travels, pronounces it one of the 
pleasantest inland towns he had 
seen. The principal village is sit- 
uated on a flat, E. of the Ashuelot, 
nearly equidistant from that and the 
upland. It is particularly entitled 
to notice for the extent, width, and 
uniform level of its streets. The 
main street, extending one mile in 
a straight line, is almost a perfect 

17* 



level, and is well ornamented with 
trees. The buildings are good and 
well arranged; some of them are 
elegant. Keene is a place of con- 
siderable business. It has 2 glass 
houses, a woolen factory, iron found- 
ry, and many other valuable manu- 
facturing establishments. Its first 
settlement commenced about the 
year 1734, by Jeremiah Hall and 
others. Its original name was Up- 
per Jlshuclot. It was incorporated 
with its present name, April 1], 
1753, which is derived from Sir 
Benjamin Keene, British minister 
at Spain, and contemporary with 
Gov. B. Weutworth. 

In 1736 the settlement had so 
increased, that a meeting-house was 
erected and in two years after, a 
minister was settled. But the usual 
scourge, which attended the fron- 
tier settlements, visited this town. 
In 1745 the Indians killed Josiah 
Fisher, a deacon of the church : 
in 1746, they attacked the fort, the 
only protection of the inhabitants. 
They were, however, discovered 
by Capt. Ephraim Dorman in sea- 
son to prevent their taking it. — 
He was attacked by two Indians, 
but defended himself successfully 
against them, and reached the fort. 
An action ensued, in which John 
Bullard was killed ; Mrs. M'Ken- 
ney, who being out of the fort, was 
stabbed and died ; and Nathan Blake 
taken prisoner, carried to Canada, 
where be remained two years. Mr. 
Blake afterwards returned to Keene, 
where he lived till his death, in 1811, 
at the age of 09 years and 5 months. 
When he was 94 he married a wid- 
ow of GO. The Indians burnt all the 
buildings in the settlement, includ- 
ing the meeting-house. The in- 
habitants continued in the fort un- 
til April, 1747, when the town was 
abandoned. In 1753 they return- 
ed, and re-con, menced their settle- 
ments. In 1755 the Indians again 
attacked the fort. Their number 
was great, and the onset violent, 
but the vigilance and courage of 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



Capt. Syms successfully defended 
it. After burning several build- 
ings, killing cattle, &c., they with- 
drew. They again invaded the 
town, but with little success. 

Col. Isaac Wyman, an active 
and influential man, marched the 
lirst detachment of men from this 
town, in the war of the revolution, 
and was present at the battle of 
Breed's Hill. Population, in 1830, 
2,374. 

Keucluskeag Stream, Me. 

This stream rises in Dexter and 
Garland, and after meandering very 
circuitously through Corinth, Le- 
vant and Button, it falls into the 
Penobscot river, at the centre of 
the city of Bangor. This is a valu- 
able mill stream; it has numerous 
tributaries ; its banks are fertile, 
romantic and beautiful. 

Kenneljec River, Me. 

The first source of this import- 
ant river is Moose Head lake, of 
which it is the outlet. From thence 
it passes in a S. W. course nearly 
20 miles, where it receives the wa- 
ters of Dead river ; it then proceeds 
S. to Starks, about 40 miles, where 
it receives the waters of the Sandy : 
here it changes its course easterly, 
about 12 miles, passing Norridge- 
wock and Skowhegan : it then again 
changes its course to the S. till it 
receives the waters of the Sebasti- 
cook, about 15 miles: it continues 
to descend in nearly a S. course to 
Hallowell, about 20 miles ; here 
it inclines to the E. a few miles, 
and then resuming a S. course, and 
passing through JMerrymeeting bay, 
where it receives the Androscog- 
gin river, it passes Bath and meets 
the ocean. The whole length of 
this river, from Moose Head lake 
to the sea, is about 150 miles. 
The tributaries already named are 
the most considerable ; but there 
are many others that would be con- 
sidered important rivers in other 
sections of country. The whole fall 



of this river is more tlian 1,000 feet, 
and its hydraulic power, with that 
of its tributaries, is incalculable. 

We are enabled to state that the 
average, or mean time, of the clos- 
ing of this river by ice, at Hallow- 
ell, for 45 successive years, was 
December 12th, and of its opening, 
April 3d. The most remarkable 
years were, 1792, when the riv- 
er closed November 4th, and open- 
ed April 1st, the following year ; 
and 1S31, when it closed January 
10th, and opened April 13th, 1832, 
Since the year 1786 the Kennebec 
has not been obstructed by ice in 
any spring after the 20th of April. 

Kenneljec Coviiity, Me. 

Augusta is the shire town. This 
county is bounded N. by Franklin, 
Somerset, and Penobscot counties, 
E. by Waldo and a part of Lincoln 
counties, S. by Lincoln county, and 
W. by Oxford county. This county 
is watered by numerous ponds and 
rivers, but principally by the noble 
Kennebec, which passes nearly 
through its centre, from which the 
name of the county is derived. The 
face of the county is undulating, 
not hilly; its soil is of a superior 
quality, producing, in great abund- 
ance, all the variety of grasses, 
grains, vegetables and fruits com- 
mon to its climate. The union of 
hydraulic power with navigable 
waters, which this county enjoj-s ; 
its fertility, locality, and other nat- 
ural advantages, render it a highly 
favored section of our country. — 
Area, about 1,050 square miles. In 
1837 this county contained 101, 23S 
sheep, and produced 186,876 bush- 
els of wheat. Population, 1837,62,- 
375 : 59 inhabitants to a square mile. 

Kenuebuuk, Me. 

York CO. This town is situated 
on the S. W. side of the Kenne- 
bunk river, and is regarded as one 
of the pleasantest towns in New 
England. Population, 1837, 2,343. 
In former years the business of the 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



town was mostly of a commercial 
character, there being a large num- 
ber of vessels owned here, which 
were engaged in the We<t India 
trade. But this trade is now near- 
ly abandoned, and the navigation is 
engaged in the freighting, coasting, 
and fishing business. Ship build- 
ing has been carried on here to a 
great extent, for about seventy 
years, and some of the finest shii)s 
in the country have been built in 
this place within the last few j-ears. 
There is one large cotton factory in 
operation, and other privileges for 
large manufacturing establishments 
on the Kennebunk, and the Mou- 
sum, a pleasant stream which meets 
the ocean in this town. Kenne- 
bunk is a port of entry : tonnage of 
the district, in 1837, 6,964 tons. 
Incorporated, 1820. It lies SO miles 
S. W. from Augusta, 25 S. W. from 
Portland, and 15 N. N. E. from 
York. 

Kenuebunk Port, Ble., 

York CO., is situated on the N. 
E. side of the Kennebunk river. 
This town was formerly extensive- 
ly engaged in the AVest India trade, 
but its navigation is now employed 
in the freighting, coasting, and fish- 
ing business. The extensive gran- 
ite quarries here are likely to be- 
come a source of considerable busi- 
ness. The stone, bearing a strong 
resemblance to the Quincy, finds 
a ready market where granite is 
made use of in building. Thirty 
years ago, this town, and Kenne- 
bunk, on the opposite side of the 
river, were the most active and busy 
ports in Maine ; but the tide of 
emigration has carried off most of 
the young men, leaving a surplus 
of girls; so that whatever activity 
there now is in the place, is of a 
domestic character, not creating 
that noise and bustle incident to the 
operations of the other sex. Ken- 
nebunk Port lies about 4 miles N. 
E. from Kennebunk. This town 
and Kennebunk are much united in 



maritime pursuits, and both enjoy 
a good harbor for shipping. Popu- 
lation, 1837, 2,730. 

ICeusiugton, N. H., 

Rockingham co., is 45 miles N. 
from Boston, 15 S. W. from Ports- 
mouth,. and 40 S. E. from Concord. 
This town has no streams of any 
note ; its surface is pretty even. 
Kensington was settled at an early 
period, and was originally a part of 
Hampton, from which it was de- 
tached in 1737. Population, 1830, 
717. 

Kent Conuty, R. I. 

East Greenwich is the county 
town. Kent county is bounded N. 
by Providence county, E. by Pro- 
vidence bay, S. by V/ashington 
county, and W. by the state of Con- 
necticut. The surface of the coun- 
ty is generally rough and uneven: 
in the eastern part are tracts of le- 
vel land. The soil is either a gra- 
velly or sandy loam, and very pro- 
ductive of Indian grain, rye, fruits, 
and vegetables. The grazing busi- 
ness is extensively pursued in this 
oounty. The Pawtuxet and Flat 
rivers are the principal, but a num- 
ber of large ponds produce smaller 
streams in abundance. The manu- 
facturing interests of this county, 
particularly of cotton and wool, are 
very extensive, and probably pur- 
sued with as much spi.'-it and suc- 
cess as in any portion of the state. 
Some navigation is employed on the 
bay in the coasting trade and fish- 
ery. Kent county comprises an 
area of 186 square miles. Popula- 
tion, 1820, 10,228; 1830, 12,789. 
Population to a square mile, 69. 

Kent, Ct. 

Litchfield co. First settled, 17.38. 
Incorporated, 1739. Population, 
1830, 2,001. Kent is 50 miles W. 
from Hartford, 50 N. W. from New 
Haven, and 15 W. from Litchfield. 
This is a mountainous township, 
with some fine land on the banks 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



of the Housatonick, which passes 
through its western border. Good 
iron ore is found here. There are 
three furnaces in town, but the 
manufacture of iron is not so exten- 
sive as formerly. The Housaton- 
ick, calm and still, winding grace- 
fully at the foot of a high and rug- 
ged mountain, renders the scenery 
from the neat and quiet village, 
highly picturesque and beautiful. 

" There is in this town," says Dr. 
Trumbull, " convincing evidence 
that it was a grand seat of the na- 
tive inhabitants of this country, 
before Indians, who more lately in- 
habited it, had any residence in it. 
There are arrow heads, stone pots, 
and a "sort of knives, and various 
kinds of utensils, frequently found 
by the English, of such curious 
workmanship as exceeds all the 
skill of any Indians since the Eng- 
lish came into this country, and 
became acquainted with them. — 
These were not only found when 
the town was first settled, but they 
are still found on the sides of Housa- 
tonic river." 

Kilkeniiy, N. H. 

Coos CO. This place was granted 
in 1774, and contained, in 1830, but 
27 inhabitants. They are poor, and 
for aught that appears to the contra- 
ry, must always remain so, as they 
may be deemed actual trespassers 
on that part of creation destined by 
its author for the residence of bears, 
wolves, moose, and other animals 
of the forest. An exception, how- 
ever, may possibly be made in fa- 
vor of a narrow strip of land along 
the S. boundary of the town. Pi- 
lot and Willard's mountains, so call- 
ed from a dog and his master, cov- 
er a considerable part of this town. 
Willard, a hunter, had been lost 
two or three days on these moun- 
tains, on the east side of which his 
camp was situated. Each day he 
observed his dog Pilot left him, as 
he supposed in pursuit of game ; 
but towards night he would con- 



stantly return. Willard being, on 
the second or third day, nearly ex- 
hausted with fatigue and hunger, 
put Himself under the guidance of 
his dog, who in a short time con- 
ducted him in safety to his camp. 

Killiaigly, Ct. 

Windham co. This town lies 45 
miles E. from Hartford, 25 W. from 
Pi-ovidence, R. I., and 5 N. E. from 
Brooklyn. First settled in 1700. 
The first white person known to 
have been bui'ied here was Mr. 
Nell Alexander's great-grand-mo- 
ther, (^ee Alexander'' s Lake.) This 
town is rough and hilly, but there 
is a great deal of beauty about it, 
and its history is full of romantic 
stories relating to the first settlers 
and the red men. The town is 
wellwatered by the Quinnebaugand 
its branches. There are three vil- 
lages, Pleasant Valley, Daysville, 
and Danielsonville, all pleasant and 
flourishing manufacturing places. 
They contain 14 cotton and 3 wool- 
en mills, a furnace, an axe factory, 
and other mechanical operations. 
Killingly contains excellent quar- 
ries of freestone, and of a slate rock 
resembling granite, soft, and easily 
wrought ; also of a slate rock com- 
posed of granular quartz, almost 
white. A rich bed of porcelain 
clay is found on Mashentuck hill, 
said to equal French or Chinese 
clay. Population, 1836, 4,000. 

Kjtllmgton Pealc, Vt. 

This noted elevation of the Green 
Mountain range, 3,924 feet above 
the ocean, lies in Sherburne, 10 
miles E. from Rutland. 

Killiiig-ivortli, Ct. 

Middlesex co. This town, the 
Indian Hammonnasset, was first 
settled in 1C63. The central part 
of the town is 38 miles S. E. from 
Hartford, 27 W. from New Lon- 
don, and 17 S. by E. from Mid- 
dletown. Population, 1830, 2,484. 
This town lies on Long Island 



NKW ENGLAND GAZETTEEi 



Sound with a harbor for small ves- 
sels. Many vessels are built at 
this place. There is 1,000 acres 
of good salt meadow in Killing- 
wortli, and the soil of the uplands, 
although hard and uneven, are ren- 
dered productive by industry and 
skillful management. The village 
is very pleasant, with a wide street 
a mile and a half in lengtli, crossed 
about midway by Indian river, a 
small stream which enters the har- 
bor. This was a great resort for 
tlie Indians. " Immense masses 
of mouldering shells still point out 
the places where they dwelt." 
Killiiigworth is a healthful, inter- 
esting place. 

Kilmaruock, 3Ie. 

Piscataquis co. This town is 
well watered by Piscataquis river 
and the outlet of Scootum lake. It 
lies 103 miles N. E. from Augusta, 
and 22 N. N. E. from Dover. In- 
corporated, 1S24. Population, 1830, 
138; 1837, 313. 

Kiugiieltl, Me. 

Franklin co. A fine farming 
township, cast of Mount Abraham, 
and watered by Seven IMile brook 
and one of its tributaries. It lies 
53 miles N. W. by N. from Au- 
gusta, and 25 N. from P'armington. 
Population, 1S37, 614. Incorpora- 
ted, 1808. Wheat crop of 1837, 
3,877 bushels. 

Kingsburjr, Me. 

Incorporated, 1S3S. See "Down 
East." 

Kiugstou, BT. II. 

Rockingham co. This town is 
distant from Concord 37 miles S. E., 
from Exeter 6, and from Portsmouth 
20. There ai-e several ponds in 
this town. The largest is Great 
pond, which lies on the W. of the 
village, and contains upwards of 
300 acres, with an island of 10 or 12 
acres, covered with wood. There 
are no high hills in Kingston ; those 



called the Great hill and Rockri- 
mon are tlie highest. The soil of 
Kingston is generally loamy. The 
charter of Kingston was granted, 
1694. The grant also comprehend- 
ed what now forms the towns of 
East Kingston, Danville, and San- 
down. This town suiTercd in com- 
mon with others in the vicinity, from 
Indian depredaiions. Many In<!ian 
implements, with some ancient 
French coin, have been ploughed 
up in the vicinity of the ponds. 

Maj. Ebenezer Stevens, one 
of the early settlers, was a very 
distinguished and useful citizen. 

This town was also the residence 
of tlie Hon. Josiah Bautlett, 
one of the first woi-thies of the state, 
and an eminent physician. His 
public career commenced in 1765, 
and from that lime to his death he 
was an unwearied advocate and 
supporter of tlie liberties of Amer- 
ica. He was the first governor of 
the state under its free constitution. 
He died in 1795, aged 65. Popu- 
lation, 1S30, 929. 

Kingston, Vt. 

Addison co. A mountainous town- 
ship settled soon after the revolu- 
tionary war. Population, 1830, 403. 
White river is formed in Kingston 
by the union of several streams. 
Here is a beautiful water fall of 
100 feet, 50 of which is perpendic- 
ular. At the bottom of the fall the 
water has worn a hole 10 feet in 
depth. Kingston lies 21 miles S. 
W. from Montpelier, and 14 E. from 
Middlebury. 

ICiugston, Mass. 

Plymouth co. This town lies 
within Plvmouth harbor, 4 miles 
N. W. from Plymouth, and 31 S. 
E. from Boston. Kingston has a 
good harbor, a considerable stream 
of water and some excellent land. 
There arc a number of vessels en- 
gaged in tlie coasting trade, and 
some in foreign commerce. Many 
vessels are built here of the south 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



shore white oak, noted for its 
strength and durability. During 
the year ending April 1,1837, there 
were 19 vessels engaged in the cod 
and mackerel fishery. They took 
14,214 quintals of cod fish, and SS6 
barrels of mackerel, the value of 
which amounted to ^48,590. There 
is a cotton mill in Kingston, and 
manufactures of bar iron, nails, ax- 
es, cutlery, anchors, leather, slioes, 
palm-leaf hats, and shingles : total 
value inone year $105, .302. Monk's 
hill presents an excellent view of 
Plymouth harbor. Kingston was 
incorporated in 1726. Population, 
1837, 1,371. 

Kii-Hjy, Vt. 

Caledonia CO. First settled, 1799. 
Population, 1830, 401. There are 
some tracts of good land in Kirby, 
but the township is generally either 
wet and cold, or too mountainous for 
cultivation. It has a number of 
springs, brooks, and a good lash 
pond. The town lies 36 miles N. 
E. from Montpelier, and 14 N. E. 
from Danville. 

IClrkland, Me. 

Penobscot co. Kirkland is finely 
watered by Dead stream, Pushaw 
lake and its principal tributary riv- 
er. It lies 83 miles N. E. from 
Augusta, and 15 N. N. W. from 
Bangor. Incorporated, 1825. Pop- 
ulation, 1S37, 258. 

lottery, Me. 

York CO. A sea port town on 
the N. E. bank of the Piscataqua 
river, being the extreme southwest- 
ern boundary of the state on the 
Atlantic, adjoining York on the N. 
E. and Elliot on the N. W. It is 
one of the earliest settlements in 
the province, or state, and had its 
share of trial and suffering with 
others of their days, from repeated 
incursions of the Indians. The 
river or inlet, called Spruce creek, 
affords a convenient harbor for ves- 
sels:,usually employed in the coast- 



ing trade and fishery, and formerly 
considerable trade was carried on 
with the West Indies from this 
place ; — but there is little or none 
at present. 

Kittery point was the residence 
of Sir William Pepperell, who com- 
manded the New England troops in 
the celebrated expedition to Cape 
Breton, in 1745, which resulted in 
the capture of Louisburg. It is 
divided from Portsmouth, N. H. by 
the Piscataqua. A bridge connects 
it with that place. Another bridge 
connects it with Badger's island, on 
which is the United States Navy 
Yard. Kittery lies 103 miles S. W. 
from Augusta, and 50 S. W. from 
Portland. Incorporated, 1653. — 
Population, 1837, 2,322. 

Knox, Me. 

Waldo CO. A beautiful farming 
town, named in honor of Gen. Hen- 
ry Kivox, a patriot of the revolu- 
tion, who died at Thomaston, 1806, 
aged 56. This is one of the many 
towns in Maine fast rising in wealth 
and respectability, by the fertility of 
the soil and industry of the people. 
It lies 32 miles N. E. by E. from 
Augusta, and 14 S. W. from Bel- 
fast. Incorporated, 1S19. Popu- 
lation, 1837, 815. Wheat crop, 
same year, 4,037 bushels. 

Lagrange, Me. 

Population, 1837, 287. Wheat 
crop, same year, 1,749 bushels. 
See " Down East." 

Lamoille Cownty, Vt. 

Hyde Park is the shire town. — 
This county was established in 1836. 
It is bounded N. by Franklin and 
Orleans counties, E. by Orleans and 
Caledonia counties, S. by Washing- 
ton county, and W. by Chittenden 
and a part of Franklin counties. 
This county lies on the Green moun- 
tain range, and is the source of ma- 
ny streams. The river Lamoille 
passes nearly through its centre, 
and, with its tributaries, give the 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



county a great hydraulic power. 
The elevation of the county ren- 
ders the soil more adapted for graz- 
ing than for tillage, yet there arc 
large tracts of excellent meadow 
bordering its streams. Manufac- 
tures nourish, and the exports of 
beef cattle and the products of the 
dairy are valuable, and annually 
increasing. In 1837, there were 
28,677 sheep. Population, 1830, 
8,930. 

LiainoUIc River, Vt. 

This river is formed in Greens- 
borough. Its general course is N. 
W. It passes through Hardwick, 
Wolcott, Morriston, Johnston, Cam- 
bridge, Fairfax and Georgia, and 
falls into Lake Champlain at Mil- 
ton, 12 miles N. from Burlington. 
This river lias numerous tributaries : 
it has several falls, which produce 
a valuable water power. Its banks 
in many parts are very fertile. It 
was discovered by Champlain in 
1609. 

liancastcr, N. II. 

Coos CO. Shire town of the coun- 
ty, and situated on the southeastern 
bank of Connecticut river, which 
forms and washes its N. W. bound- 
ary, a distance of 10 miles. It lies 
distant 110 miles W. fiom Portland, 
130 N. from Portsmouth, 95 N. 
fi'om Concord, and 75 above Dart- 
mouth College. Besiiles the Con- 
necticut, which is deep and about 
22 rods in width while it passes 
through Lancaster, the town is wa- 
tered by Israel's river, and several 
considerable brooks. Across this 
river a bridge and several dams are 
thrown, forming a valuable water 
power. There are several ponds 
in Lancaster, the largest of wiiich 
is called Martin-meadow pond, from 
Martin, a hunter. This communi- 
cates with Little pond. 

Lancaster is situated near lofty 
mountains, but is not itself moun- 
tainous. There are three hills in 
the S. part of the town, called Mar- 



tin meadow hills; and the land in 
the S. E. part lies too high up the 
mountains for cultivation. The soil 
along the Connecticut is alluvial, 
the meadows extending back near- 
ly throe-fourths of a mile ; and at 
the mouth of Israel's river much 
farther. 

The village, or most compact part 
of the town, lies on a street extend- 
ing from the bridge across Israel's 
river northwardly : — it is pleasant, 
and is the site of some manufactur- 
ing establishments. Lancaster was 
granted and settled in 1763. The 
war of the revolution tended to re- 
tard the settlement of the town. — 
After the war closed, the town set- 
tled with considerable rapidity, and 
has since gradually increased in 
wealth and business. Population, 
1830, 1,187. 

Lancaster, Slass. 

Worcester co. This town, the 
JVasmcofrg of the Indians, is the 
oldest town in the county ; it was 
for many years a frontier settlement, 
and greatly harrassed by the na- 
tives. In 1676, the town was at- 
tacked by 1,500 Indians; many 
were killed on both sides ; the town 
was destroyed, and a number car- 
ried into captivity, among whom 
was the celebrated Mrs. Mary 
Rowia7idson. Lancaster lies on 
both sides of Nashua river, and has 
a remarkably fine, alluvial soil, in 
a high state of cultivation. Per- 
haps there is no inland town in New 
England that possesses more natu- 
ral beauties, or that strikes the eye 
of the traveller more agreeably. — 
The village is very beautiful : — it is 
neatly built on an alluvial plain, 
surrounded by hills, and watered by 
a large and placid stream. Thero 
are 3 cotton and 1 woolen mills in 
the town, and manufactures of 
leather, boots, shoes, hats, forks, 
combs, palm-leaf hats, tenon ma- 
chines, copper pumps, piano-fortes, 
chairs, and cabinet ware : — annual 
value about $100,000. Some min- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



eral substances are found here. 
Lancaster was first settled, 1643. 
Incorporated, 1653. Population, 
1837, 1,903. It lies 35 miles W. 
N. W. from Boston, and 15 N. N. 
E. from Worcester. 

liaudaff, N. H. 

Grafton co. Its distance from 
Haverhill is about 12 miles N. E., 
and from Concord 90 N. by W. 
Wild Anionoosuck river runs from 
S. E. to N. W. through the S. part 
of the town. Through the north- 
westerly extremity passes the Great 
Anionoosuck river. Landaff moun- 
tain in the E. part. Cobble hill in 
the centre, and Bald hill in the W., 
are the principal elevations. The 
soil is fertile. Landaff was granted 
in 1764, to James Avery and others. 
Population, in 1830, 951. 

!LaMdgro-we, Vt. 

Bennington co. This town is on 
elevated land at the N. E. corner 
of the county, 33 miles N. E. from 
Bennington, and about 30 S. AV. 
from Windsor. Some of the head 
branches of West river have their 
sources here. The lands are too 
rough and high for much impi'ove- 
ment. First'settled, 1769. Popu- 
lation, 1830, 385. 

L:aues1}Oi'oiig]i, Mass. 

Berkshire co. This township lies 
on elevated ground, the sources of 
some of the head branches of Hous- 
atonick and Hoosack rivers. It is 
situated on two hills, with an inter- 
vening valley. The lands in the 
valley are very luxuriant, and the 
hilly parts are admirably adapted 
for grazing. Lanesborough is a 
beautiful town, under good cultiva- 
tion, and very productive. The in- 
habitants are principally farmers, 
who make agriculture a brtsiness, 
and reap its rewards. In 1837 there 
were in this town 12,333 sheep, 
whose fleeces weighed 42,489 lbs., 
estimated at $26,100. Limestone 
abounds here ; also beautiful mar- 



ble, and graphic slate. There is a 
delightful pond partly in this town 
and partly in Pittsfield : it con- 
tains ti'out and other fine fish. — 
Lanesborough was incorporated, 
1765. Population, 1837, 1,090. It 
lies 125 miles W. by N. from Bos- 
ton, and 11 N. from Lenox. 

Iiaugdon, ]V. H. 

Sullivan CO. Langdonis ISmiles 
S. S. W. from Newport, and 50 W. 
by S. from Concord. The princi- 
pal village it 3 miles E. from Con- 
necticut river, and 6 from Bellows 
Falls. A considerable branch of 
Cold river passes S. W. through the 
whole extentof this town, and unites 
with the main branch near the S. 
line. Langdon, named in honor 
of Gov. Langdon, was incorpoiated 
1787. Its settlement commenced in 
1773. Population, 1S30, 667. 

!Lebaiiou, Me. 

York CO. This town is bounded 
W. by Salmon Fall river, on the 
line of New Hampshire. It is a 
large agricultural township, with 
some trade and manufactures. It 
lies 99 miles S. W. from Augusta, 
50 S. W. by W. from Portland, and 
lis. W. from Alfred. Incorpora- 
ted, 1767. Population, in 1837, 
2,240. 

Lie'baiion, N. H. 

Grafton co. This pleasant town 
on Connecticut river, is 4 miles S. 
from Dartmouth College, 49 N. W. 
from Concord, and 90 N. W. from 
Portsmouth. Besides the Connec- 
ticut on its W. border, this town is 
watered by Mascomy river, running 
from E. to W. through its centre, 
and affording many valuable mill 
seats and a constant supply of wa- 
ter. The soil here is alluvial, the 
intervales on the Connecticut ex- 
tending back from the river about 
half a mile. There are meadows or 
intervales on Mascomy river. The 
principal village is situated on a 
plain near the central part, at the 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



head of tlie falls of Mascomy riv- 
er. There are falls in the Connect- 
icut in this town, which have been 
locked and canalled by a company, 
called the White River Company. 
Lyman's bridge connects this town 
with Hartford, Vt. A medicinal 
spring has been discovered. A 
lead mine has been opened, and 
there has been found on Enfield line, 
near the outlet of the Great pond, 
a vein of iron ore. 

This is a place of considerable 
manufactures, and of extensive 
trade. Lebanon was granted 17G1. 
It was the first town settleii on Con- 
necticut river to the N. of Charles- 
town. The first settlors were a 
hardy, brave people, tenacious of 
their principles : most of them were 
men of strong minds, good habits, 
correct principles, and good com- 
mon education. Population, 1830, 
1,868. 

£ie1>anon, €t. 

New London co. Lebanon lies 
30 miles S. E. from Hartford,*and 
10 N. W". from Norwich. First 
settled about 1700. Population, in 
1S30, 2,554. The surface of the 
town is uneven — moderately hilly. 
The soil is of a chocolate color ; — 
a rich deep mould, very fertile, and 
well adapted for grass. Hudiandry 
is the principal business of the in- 
habitants. The village is ou a street 
more than a mile in length, wide, 
pleasant and interesting : it was the 
residence of the Thumbull, fami- 
ly, celebrated for their fiienius and 
patriotism. On the family tomb, in 
fJie village, is the following inscrip- 
tion to the memory of the first gov- 
ernor Trumbull. 

" Sacred to the memory of Jonathan 
Trumbull, Esq. »vho, unaided by birth 
or powerful connexions, but blessed 
with a noble and virtuous mind, arrived 
to the hiijliest station in ^overninent. 
His patriotism and firmness during 50 
years employment in public life, and 
particuhirly in the very important part 
ne acted in the American Revolution, 

18 



as Governor of Connecticut ; the 
faithful page of History will record. 

I'ull of years and honors, rich in be- 
nev<dence, and firm in tlie faith and 
hopes of Christianity, he died August 
Uth, 1785, yEtatis 75." 

This tomb contains the ashes of two 
governors, one commissary general, 
and a signer of the Declaration of 
Independence. 

Ledyard, Ct. 

New London co. This town was 
taken from Groton in 1836. It was 
formerly called North Groton. It 
is 7 miles N. by E. from New Lon- 
don, and 8 S. from Norwich. There 
is a pretty village, of some thirty 
bouses, at Gale's ferry, on the 
Thames. The population of the 
town, in 1836, was about 2,000. 
About twenty of the Pequot tribe 
of Indians reside here : a miserable 
remnant of a great and powerful 
nation. 

This town was named in honor 
of-two brothers, natives of Groton : 
Col. LEDVARD,the brave defend- 
er of Groton Heights, in 1781 ; — 
and JoHx Ledyard, the celebra- 
ted traveler, who died at Cairo, in 
Egypt, in 1789, aged 38. John Led- 
yard was probably as distinguished 
a traveler as can be found on re- 
cord. " Endowed with an original 
and comprehensive genius, he be- 
held with interest, and described 
with energy, the scenes and objects 
around him; and by comparing them 
with what he had seen in other re- 
gions of the globe, he was enabled to 
give his narrative all the varied ef- 
fect of contrast and resemblance." 

This accurate observer of man- 
kind pays the following tribute to 
female character. 

" I have always remarked," says 
he, " that women in all countries 
are civil and obliging, tender and 
humane : that they are ever inclin- 
ed to be gay and cheerful, timo- 
rous and modest ; and that they do 
not hesitate, like men, to perform 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



a generous action. Not haughty, 
nor arrogant, nor supercilious, they 
are full of courtesy, and fond of 
society ; more liable in general to 
err than man, but in general also 
more virtuous, and performing more 
good actions, than he. To a wo- 
man, whether civilized or savage, I 
never addressed myself, in the lan- 
guage of decency and friendship, 
without receiving a decent and 
friendly answer. With man it has 
often been otherwise. In wander- 
ing over the barren plains of in- 
hospitable Denmark, through hon- 
est Sweden and frozen Lapland, 
rude and churlish Finland, unprin- 
cipled Russia, and the wide spread 
regions of the wandering Tartar ; 
if hungry, dry, cold, wet, or sick, 
the women have ever been friend- 
ly to me, and uniformly so. And 
add to this virtue, so worthy the 
appellation of benevolence, their 
actions have been performed in so 
free and kind a manner, that if I 
was dry, I drank the sweetest 
draught, and if hungry, I ate the 
coarsest morsel, vi^ith a double rel- 
ish." 

Lee, Me. 

Wheat crop, 1837, 8,450 bushels : 
population, the same year, 536. It 
lies 125 miles from Augusta. See 
" Down East." 

liCe, N. H. 

Strafford co. In the N. part of 
the town lies Wheelwright's pond, 
containing about 165 acres, and 
forming the principal source of Oys- 
ter river. 

This pond is memorable for the 
battle which was fought near it in 
1690, between a scouting party of 
Indians, and two companies of ran- 
gers, under Capts. Floyd and Wis- 
wall. The engagement lasted two 
hours. Wiswall, his lieutenant, 
sergeant, and 12 men were killed 
and several wounded. Floyd con- 
tinued to fight till his men, wearied 
and wounded, drew off and obliged 



him to follow. The enemy also re- 
treated. 

Lee is 28 miles E. S. E. from 
Concord, and 12 S. W. from Dover. 
From the N. E. extremity of Ep- 
ping. Lamprey river enters Lee, 
and after a serpentine course of 
about 7 miles, it passes into Dur- 
ham. Other parts of the town are 
watered by Little, North, and Oys- 
ter rivers. Lee was originally a 
part of Durham, and was incorpo- 
rated, 1766. Population, in 1830, 
1,009. 

Lee, Mass. 

Berkshire co. This is a pleasant 
town on the Housatonick river, ad- 
mirably located for manufacturing 
purposes. It contains a cotton and a 
woolen mill, 12 paper mills, and va- 
rious other manufactures by wa- 
ter power. The amount of manu- 
factured goods for the year ending 
April 1, 1837, was $405,000. The 
paper manufactured, amounted to 
$274,500. The articles manufac- 
tured, besides paper, cotton and 
woolen goods, were leather, hats, 
boots, shoes, bar iron, iron castings, 
axes, shovels, spades, hoes, forks, 
ploughs, chairs, tin, cabinet and 
wooden ware, carriages, chair stuff, 
&c. The soil of the town is good, 
particularly ibr grazing. The wool 
of 2,000 sheep, in 1837, was val- 
ued at $4,500. There is an abund- 
ant supply of iron ore and marble 
of excellent qualities. Lee was 
incorporated in 1777. It lies 130 
miles W. from Boston, and 5 S. E. 
from Lenox. Population, in 1830, 
1,825; 1837, 2,095. 

Iicetls, Me. 

Kennel)ec co. This is a large 
and tlourishing agricultural town, 
finely watered by a large and beau- 
tiful pond. The outlet of this pond 
into the Androscoggin, gives the 
town a good water powei-, for saw 
mills and other manufactories. 

The villages in Leeds are very 
neat and pleasant. The soil is fer- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



tile and productive. Wheat crop, 
1837, 5,421 bushels. Leeds was 
incorporated in 1S02. It lies 30 
miles W. S. W. from Augusta. — 
Population, 1837, 1,743 . 

Ijelcester, Vt. 

Addison co. Leicester is water- 
ed by a river of its own name, by 
Otter creek, and by a part of lake 
Dunmore. These waters are too 
sluggish to afford the town much 
water power. The soil is a sandy 
loam, interspersed with some flats 
of clay. Along the rivers the soil 
is rich and productive. The high 
lands ai-e hard and tit for grazing. 
About 4,000 sheep are kept here. 
Leicester lies 36 miles S. W. from 
Montpelier, and 10 S. by E. from 
Middlebury. First settled, 1773. 
Population, 1830, 638. 

Lieicester, Mass. 

Worcester co. This town is on 
the height of ground between Bos- 
ton harbor and Connecticut river. 
It lies 46 miles W. from Boston, 6 
W. S. W. from Worcester, 42 E. S. 
E. from Northampton, and 44 N. W. 
from Providence. It was first set- 
tled in 1713, and incorporated about 
the year 1721. Its Indian name 
was Towtaid. Population, 1837, 
2,122. This town is well watered 
by French river, and branches of 
the Connecticut and Blackstone, 
which rise here, and afford mill sites 
for numerous manufactories. 

Leicester Academy was founded 
in 1784. It has considerable funds, 
commodious buildings, and is highly 
respectable. It accommodates 100 
pupils throughout the j'ear. 

The surface of the town is uneven 
with a strong, deep soil. There 
are 5 woolen mills in the town, and 
manufactures of machines, hand 
cards, machine cards, chairs, cabi- 
net ware, scythes, leather, boots and 
shoes : total value the year ending 
April 1, 18:J7, $;.531,939. 

A society of Jews built a syna- 
gogue, and resided here from 1777 to 



17S3. They were much esteemed. 
The families of Denny, Earle and 
Henshaw, have been numerous in 
Leicester, and highly respectable. 

liCinniingtoii, Vt* 

Essex CO. A mountainous town- 
ship, on the W. side of Connecticut 
river, with a small portion of inter- 
vale. There are several brooks in 
the town, and a beautiful cascade 
of 50 feet. There is a mountain in 
the town called " the Mon.adnock 
of Vermont," from which may be 
discovered that this town, general- 
ly, is not fit for cultivation. It lies 
G4 miles N. E. from Montpelier, 
and 24 N. from Guildhall. Popu- 
lation, 1830, 183. 

Lieiupster, N. II. 

Sullivan co. It is 40 miles W. 
from Concord. The surface is, in 
general, uneven, and the eastern 
part is mountainous. The soil is 
moist, and better suited for grass 
than grain. The town is well 
watered, although its streams are 
small. One branch of Sugar river, 
and the S. and W. branches of Cold 
river afford conveniences for water 
machinery. Near the W. bound- 
ary line is a pond 320 rods long 
and 80 wide. Sand pond lies in 
this town and Marlow. Lempster 
was granted 1761. It was settled 
about 1770, by emigrants from Con- 
necticut. Population, in 1830, 999. 



See 



Lienox, Me. 

Down East." 



lienox, Mass. 

Berkshire co. Shire town. This 
is an excellent township of land, 
watered by Housatonick river, and 
surrounded by beautiful mountain 
scenery. It lies 130 miles W. from 
Boston, 25 N. E. from Hudson, N. 
Y., and 55 N. AV. from Hartford, 
Ct. Lenox is accommodated with 
a water power, and contains mines 
of rich iron ore, and quarries of 
beatitiful marble. There are some 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



manufactures of iron, leather, mar- 
ble, &c., in the town, but agricul- 
ture is the chief pursuit of the in- 
habitants. Incorporated, 17()7. Pop- 
ulation, 1837, 1,277. 

Leominster, Mass. 

Worcester co. A beautiful town, 
of an excellent soil, and great wa- 
ter power, on both sides of a prin- 
cipal branch of Nashua river, 42 
miles N. W. from Boston, and 20 
N. from Worcester. This town was 
taken from Lancaster in 1740, and 
shared with that town in the suffer- 
ings occasioned by Indian hostility. 
The manufactures of Leominster, 
for the year ending April 1, 1837, 
exclusive of the product of 5 paper 
mills, was $111,505. The articles 
manufactured were leather, boots, 
shoes, hats, axes, chairs, cabinet 
ware, combs, tin ware, straw bon- 
nets, palm-leaf hats, chaises, car- 
riages, and harnesses. Population^ 
1037, 1,944. 

A rich alum rock has been found 
in this town which is said to be a 
decomposed mica slate. It con- 
tains an abundance of beautiful 
plumose, or feather form alum, like 
that of Milo, one of the Grecian 
isles, mixed with the green crys- 
tals of copperas, or sulphate of iron. 

licvaiit, Me. 

Penobscot co. This town lies 
principally on the S. W. side of 
Kenduskeag stream, by which and 
its tributaries it is well watered. 
The soil is good and productive. — 
The wheat crop of 1837 was 3,432 
bushels. Levant lies 78 miles N. E. 
from Augusta, and 10 N. W. from 
Bangor. Incorporated, 1813. Pop- 
ulation, 1830, 747 ; 1837, 1,0S1. 

I/evcrett, Mass. 

Franklin co. A good grazing 
town, on high ground, 85 miles W. 
N. W. from'^ Boston, and 10 S. E. 
from Greenfield. The town is wa- 
tered by Roaring brook, a rapid 
stream, on whicli is a cascade, and 



some wild scenery, worthy of the 
traveler's notice. Incorporated, 
1774. Population, 1837, 902. 

Lewiston, Me. 

Lincoln co. Lewiston lies on the 
E. side of Androscoggin river, at 
the falls. The waters of that river 
descend 47 feet in the distance of 
12 to 15 rods, and produce a valu- 
able hydraulic pov»'er. The town 
extends on the river about 13 miles, 
and is connected with Minot by a 
bridge, at the foot of the falls, of 
1 ,000 feet in length. This is a town- 
ship of good land, with some manu- 
factures of woolen and cotton goods, 
and a number of sav/ mills. Wheat 
crop, 1837, 1,920 bushels. Incor- 
porated, 1795. Population, 1830, 
1,549; 1837, 1,737. Lewiston is 
2S miles S. W. from Augusta, 34 
N. by E. from Portland, and 25 N. 
W. from Bath. 

liexington, Me. 

Somerset co. This town lies 57 
miles from Augusta. Population, 
1837, 457. Wheat crop, same year, 
2,343 bushels. See " Down East." 

Liexington, Mass. 

Middlesex co. This pleasant town 
lies 10 miles N. W. from Boston, 
and 7 E. from Concord. Incorpo- 
rated, 1712. Population, 1837, 
1,622. There are some excellent 
farms in this town, large tracts of 
meadow on some of the branches 
of the Shawsheen, which rise here, 
and some valuable woodland. The 
manufactures consist of boots, shoes, 
caps, clocks, cabinet ware, and cal- 
ico printing: annual value, about 
,fl00,O0O. 

Lexington will ever be an inter- 
esting place, as here the first blood 
was shed in the cause of American 
Independence. " A detachment of 
British soldiers were sent at day- 
light on the morning of the 19th of 
April, 1775, to take or destroy a 
quantity of military stores collected 
at Concord. They were under tlie 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



command of Col. Smith and Maj. 
Pitcairu. On reaching this place, 
a militia company were exercis- 
ing on the common. A British offi- 
cer rode up and ordered them to 
disperse, hut not being instantly 
obeyed, he discharged his pistol 
and ordered his men to tire, which 
they did, and eight of the Ameri- 
cans fell dead on the spot ! The 
militia retreated, and the British 
proceeded to Concord, and in part 
succeeded in destroying the stores, 
but were so harassed on their re- 
turn, that they would inevitably 
have been cut ofT, had they not 
been met at this place by a strong 
detachment of artillery under Lord 
Percy. The party suffered ex- 
tremely by the lire of the Ameri- 
cans, aimed with deadly effect from 
the buildings, trees, and fences ; 
and left 65 killed, and had ISO 
wounded. The Americans had 50 
killed and 34 wounded. There is 
a monument on the spot where the 
first victims fell, to perpetuate the 
memory of the slain, and of this 
event." 

Iieyden, Mass. 

Franklin co. Leyden is watered 
by Green river and several small 
streams. It is 100 miles N. W. from 
Boston, and 7 N. by \V. from Green- 
field. It is a mountainous town- 
ship, more fit for grazing than till- 
age. The number of sheep in the 
town, in 1837, was 3,142 ; their 
fleeces weighed 9,323 pounds ; val- 
ue of the wool, ;^5,129. The town 
was incorporated in 1809. Popu- 
lation, 1837, C56. 

There is a romantic spot in Ley- 
den, called " the Glen," a curious 
place, worth looking at. 

Liberty, Me. 

Waldo CO. This town is 29 miles 
E. from Augusta, and 18 W. S. W. 
from Belfast. It is watered by 
large ponds and small streams. The 
soil is good and produced, in 1837, 
2,022 bushels of wheat. lucorpo- 

18* 



rated, 1827. Population, 1837, 804. 
A short time since a pine tree 
was cut in Liberty, which measur- 
ed 7 feet in diameter, at the stump. 
It had three branches. The tree 
was sounil, and 10,610 feet of square 
edged boards were made from it. 

Iiiiuerick, Me. 

York CO. Little Ossipee river 
waters this town. It lies 28 miles 
W. from Portland, 85 S. W. from 
Augusta, and 15 N. by W. from 
Alfred. This is a good farming 
town, with a pleasant village, and 
an academy, incorporated in 1812. 
The town was incorporated in 1787 
Population, 1837, 1,484. 

Liiniiugton, Me. 

York CO. This town is bounded 
on the S. by Limerick, and is wa- 
tered by Saco river on the S. and 
W. The town has a good soil, very 
productive of hay, wheat and other 
grain. It lies 89 miles S. W. from 
Augusta, and 28 W. S. AV. from 
Portland. Incorporated, 1762. — 
Population, 1837, 2,223. 

Liiicoliit County, Me. 

JViscasset, Topsham and War- 
ren are the county towns. Lincoln 
county is bounded N. by the coun- 
ties of Kennebec and Waldo, E. 
by Waldo county and Penobscot 
bay, S. l)y the Atlantic ocean, and 
W. by Cumberland county and Cas- 
co bay. Area about 950 square 
miles. This county is bounded on 
the ocean nearly fifty miles, and 
like the county of Hancock in this 
state, comprises an almost innumer- 
able number of bays, coves, inlets, 
commodious harbors and fertile isl- 
ands. The wafers of the Muscon- 
gus, Damariscotta and Shecpscot 
pierce its centre, and the noble 
Kennebec finds all its Atlantic har- 
bors in the county of Lincoln. 

Considerable attention is paid to 
agriculture, for the soil ia generally 
fertile and well adapted to the pur- 
suit ; but this county is essentially a 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



maritime section of New England, 
possessing every requisition for for- 
eign commerce, the coasting trade 
and fisheries. The tonnage of the 
three districts, Batli, Wiscasset and 
Waldohorough, in 1S37, was 93,347 
tons. This county contained, in 
1887, 84,000 sheep, and raised 37,- 
963 busliels of wheat. Population, 
1820, 53,189 ; 1830, 57,181 ; 1837, 
60,226 : 63 inhabitants to a square 
mile. 

liiucolu, Me. 
Penobscot co. This is a very 
large town, more than double the 
common size. It lies on the E. side 
of the Penobscot, at the mouth of 
Matanaucook river, where is a 
pleasant and flourishing village, 45 
miles N. by E. from Bangoi-, and 
114 N. E. from Augusta. Lincoln 
has recently been incorporated, and 
possesses a soil of remarkable fertil- 
ity. Population, 1S30, 414 ; 1837, 
1,045. Wheat crop, 1S37, 4,263 
bushels. 

Iiincolii, N. !I., 

Grafton co., a mountainous town- 
ship 70 miles N. from Concord. — 
The middle branch of the Pemige- 
wasset passes through nearly the 
centre of the town. It has its 
source in Ferrin's pond, in the S. 
part of Franconia. There are sev- 
eral ponds, viz : Bog, Fish and Loon 
ponds. There are many elevations, 
of which Kinsman's mountain is 
the most considerable. In ihe N. 
part of the town are two large gulfs, 
made by an extraordinary discharge 
of water from the clouds in 1774. 
The numerous " slips," as they are 
called, from the mountain are wor- 
thy of notice. They commence 
near the summit of the mountain, 
and proceed to its base, forcing a 
passage through all obstructions. 
The soil here is poor. Wild ani- 
mals, such as bears, raccoons, foxes, 
sables, otters, deer, &.C., are very 
numerous. Lincoln was granted in 
1764, to James Avery and others. 
Population, 1830, 50. 



UlucoIu, Vt. 

Addison co. Lincoln was first 
settled by a number of "Friends," 
in 1790. The town is on high 
ground with an uneven surface. It 
lies 21 miles S. W. from Montpe- 
lier, and 15 N. E. from Middlebury. 
Population, 1830, 639. 

Hiiucoln, Mass. 

Middlesex co. Lincoln is bound- 
ed W. by Sudbury river. It lies 
16 miles N. W. by W. from Boston, 
and 3S. from Concord. Incorpora- 
ted, 1754. Population, 1837, 694. 
It has some good farms and a large 
fish pond. The manufactures of 
the town consist of clothing, leath- 
er, straw bonnets, boots and shoes. 

liincolnville, Me. 

Waldo CO. On the W. side of 
Penobscot bay, 10 miles S. from 
Belfast, 7 N. from Camden, and 51 
E. from Augusta. Incorporated, 
1802. Popuiaiion, 1837, 1,999.— 
This township has a good soil for 
grass, grain and potatoes. Wheat 
crop of 1SS7, 4,212 bushels. The 
town is well located for any branch 
of navigation. Duck Trap is an ex- 
cellent harbor, and a busy place in 
the coasting trade. 

liiimeiis, Me. 

Washington co. This town is 
the source of a branch of the Mat- 
tawamkeag ; and of a branch of the 
Meduxnekeag, flowing into the St. 
John's. It lies 8 miles S. W. from 
Houlton. Population, 1837, 208. 
W'heat crop .same year, 2,514 bush- 
els. Incorporated, 1836. 

liisbou, Me. 

Lincoln co. Lisbon lies on the 
E. side of Androscoggin river, and 6 
miles below Lewiston Falls. There 
are falls in the river at this place, 
called the " Ten mile falls." Lis- 
bon has some manufactures of cot- 
ton and wool, a number of saw mills, 
and is united with Durham by a 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



bridge. Whsat crop 1S37, 3,781 
bushels. Population, same year, 
2,660. It lies 30 miles S. S. W. 
from Augusta, and 22 W. by N. 
from Wiscasset. 

Lisbon, N. II. 

Grafton co. It is 20 miles N. E. 
from Haverhill, and 90 from Con- 
cord. It is watered by Amonoo- 
suck river, running through the 
whole extent of the town, and by 
several smaller streams. There 
are several ponds, the most noted 
of which is called Mink pond, Ij'- 
ing in the S. part of the town, af- 
fording mill seats at its outlet. The 
soil admits of three divisions ; the 
meadows or intervales on Amonoo- 
suck river, which are generally 
very productive; the plain land, of 
a light, thin soil, requiring consid- 
erable manure to make it produc- 
tive ; and the uplands, of a strong 
deep soil, which afford many good 
farms. Blueberry mountain is the 
principal elevation. Large quan- 
tities of iron ore and limestone are 
found here. Maple sugar is man- 
ufactured and clover seed is raised 
in considerable quantities. This 
town was called Concord until 1S24. 
Population, 1830, 1,485.- 

liisbon, Ct. 

New London co. This town is 7 
miles N. from Norwich, from which 
it was taken in 17S6. It is water- 
ed by Quinnebaug and Shetucket 
rivers, which unite in the S. part 
of the town. The soil is a gravel- 
ly and sandy loam, with some allu- 
vial meadow. This is an excellent 
farming town : the inhalitants are 
generally industrious and iiidepend- 
ent. In that part of the town call- 
ed Hanover, is a woolen and silk 
factory. Lisbon is 4.5 miles S. E. 
from Hartford. Population, 1830, 
1,161. 

Litchfleld, Me. 

Kennebec co. An excellent 
township of land, pleasantly situa- 



ted 10 miles S. W. from Gardiner, 
and the source of some of the Cob- 
besseecontee waters. Litchticld lies 
16 miles S. S. W. from Augusta, and 
was formerly a part of Lincoln 
county. Incorporated, 1795. Pop- 
ulation, 1S37, 2,341. Wheat crop, 
same year, 5,123 bushels. 

Litchfield, N. II., 

Hillsborough co., is a small fer- 
tile township on the E. bank of 
Merrimack river. It is 8 miles E. 
from Amherst, and 30 S. by E. from 
Concord. This town has an excel- 
lent soil. There are two ferries, 
Thornton's, near the meeting house, 
on the post road from Amherst to 
Portsmouth ; and Read's, 3 miles 
above. 

Litchfield was taken from Dun- 
stable in 1734. It was originally 
known by the Indian name o[ jYat- 
ticott, and by the English one of 
Brentoii's Farm. The settlement 
commenced about 1720. 

The Hon. Wysebian Clagett 
closed his life in this town. He 
was a native of England, came to 
this country before the revolution 
commenced, and sustained several 
important offices. He was attorney 
general under the provincial and 
state governments, and filled the 
office with dignity and honor. Pop- 
ulation, 1830, 505. 

liitclifield County, Ct. 

Litchfield, county town. This 
is the largest and most elevated 
county in the state. The surface 
is hilly and in some parts mountain- 
ous. The soil is chiefly a gravelly 
loam, under good cultivation, and 
very productive of butter, cheese, 
beef and pork. It abounds in iron 
ore, which is extensively manufac- 
tured. This county contains an area 
of 885 square miles. Population, 
1820, 41,267; 1830, 42,855; con- 
taining 48 inhabitants to a square 
mile. This countj' is watered by 
numerous ponds ; by the beautiful 
Hoiisatonick, and by many rivers 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



rising in flie high grounds. The 
streams give a valuable water pow- 
er, and flourishing manufacturing 
establishments are found in almost 
every town. The number of sheep 
in this county, in 1837, was 72,832. 
Litchfield county was incorporated 
in 1751. It is bounded N. by Ikrk- 
shire county, Mass., E. by Hart- 
ford and New Haven counties, S. 
by the counties of New Haven and 
Fairfield, and W. by the state of 
New York. 

liitclifield, Ct. 

Litchfield CO., chief town. This 
town, the Indian Bantam, com- 
prising, as it was supposed, ten miles 
square, was valued at j£300 in the 
year 1718. Bantam was first set- 
tled in 1720, and incorporated by 
its present name in 1724. It was 
a frontier town for many years, and 
during the wars between England 
and France was much harassed by 
the Canadians and Indians. Litch- 
jBeld is an elevated township, and 
its surface presents a diversity of 
hills and valleys. The soil is a gra- 
velly loam, deep, strong, and admi- 
rably adapted for grazing. Great 
pond is a beautiful sheet of water; 
it comprises an area of 900 acres, 
and is the largest pond in the state. 

The waters of the Naugatuck, 
Shepung and Bantam give the town 
a good water power, and manufac- 
tui-es of cotton, wool, iron, and oth- 
er articles are in successful opera- 
lion on their banks. 

Litchfield village, on " Litchfield 
Hill," was incorporated in 1818. It 
is a delightful place. It is situated 
on an elevated plain, surrounded by 
interesting scenery, and affords ex- 
tensive prospects. The two prin- 
cipal streets cross each other nearly 
at right angles ; they are wide, well 
shaded, and built upon with great 
taste and elegance. It lies 30 miles 
W. from Hartford, and 3.5 N. W. 
from New Haven. Population of 
the town, 1830, 4,458. 

In the W. part of the town Mount 



Tom rears a front of 700 feet above 
the Naugatuck, presenting a pano- 
ramic landscape of great beauty and 
vast extent. Near this mountain 
is a mineral spring " which is satu- 
rated with iron and sulphur. The 
water issues from the E. side of the 
mountain in considerable quantities. 
The mud from the bottom of the 
spring burns with a blue flame, and 
the principal part of it consumes." 

A law school of great respecta- 
bility was established in this town, 
by the Hon. Tapping Reeve, in 
1784. The Hon. James Gould 
was associated with Judge Reeve, 
as instructor, for some years. This 
institution continued nearly thirty 
years, and furnished instruction to 
many of our most eminent jurists. 

Oliver Wolcott, one of the 
signers of the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence, resided here. He was 
the son of the Hon. Roger Wolcott. 
He died December 1, 1797, aged 
72. He was distinguished for in- 
tegrity, decision of character, and 
foi- his love of order and religion. 

Oliver Wolcott, son of the 
preceding, was born in 1760.— 
When a lad of 17, he lent his aid to 
the cause of his country : he was 
present in the engagement with the 
British at the time of their invasion 
of Danbury. On the formation of 
the U. S. Government, in 1789, he 
was appointed first auditor of the 
treasury ; an.d in 1794 he succeeded 
Gen. Hamilton as secretary of the 
treasury. In 1817 he was elected 
governor of Connecticut, which of- 
fice he held till 1827. He was the 
last survivor of the administration 
of Washington. He died in New 
York, June 2d, 1833, aged 74. 

Benjamin Tallmage, a colo- 
nel in the revolutionary army, was a 
resident of this town. He was an 
ardent patriot and sincere christian. 
He was honored with the confidence 
of Washington in several hazard- 
ous and important trusts. He died 
at Litchfield, March 7, 1835, aged 
81. 



NEAV ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



Ethan Ai.LEN,abrigadiei-gen- 
eral in the American service, dis- 
tinguished lor his dai-ing and intre- 
pid spirit, was a native of this town. 

" Wliile lie was young, his pa- 
rents emigrated to Vermont. At 
the commencement of the disturb- 
ances in this territory, about the 
year 1770, he took a most active 
part in favor of the Green Moun- 
tain boys, as tlie settlers were then 
called, in opposition to the govern- 
ment of New York. An act of 
outlawry against him was passed by 
that state, and 500 guineas were of- 
fered for his apprehension : but liis 
party was too numerous and faith- 
ful to permit him to be disturbed by 
any apprehensions for his safety. 
In all the struggles of the day he 
was successful ; and he not only 
proved a valuable friend to those 
whose cause he had espoused, but 
he was humane and generous to- 
wards those witli whom he had to 
contend. When called to take the 
field, he showed himself an able 
leader and an intrepid soldier. 

"The news of the battle of Lex- 
ington determined Col. Allen to en- 
gage on the side of his country, and 
inspired him with the de^ ire of dem- 
onstrating his attachment to libertj' 
by some bold exploit. While his 
mind was in this state, a plan for 
taking Ticonderoga and Crow-n Point 
by surprise, which was formed by 
several gentlemen in Connecticut, 
was communicated to him, and he 
readily engaged in the project. 
Receiving directions from the gen- 
eral assembly of Connecticut to 
raise the Green Mountain boys, and 
conduct the enter])rise, he collected 
230 of the hardy settlers and pro- 
ceeded to Castleton. Here he was 
unexpectedly joined by Col. Ar- 
nold, who liad been commissioiied 
by the Massachusetts committee to 
raise 400 men, and effect the same 
object, which was now about to he 
accomplished. As he had not rais- 
ed the men, he was admitted to act 
as an assistant to Col. Allen. They 



reached the lake opposite Ticonde- 
roga on the evening of the 9th of 
May, 1775. With the utmost diffi- 
culty boats were procured, and 83 
men were landed near the garrison. 
The apjiroach of day rendering it 
dangerous to wait for the reai-, it vvas 
determined iminediately to proceed. 
The commander in chief now ad- 
dressed his men, representing that 
they had been for a number of years 
a scourge to arbitrai-y power, and 
famed for their valor, and conclud- 
ed with saying, ' I now propose to 
advance before you, and in person 
conduct you through the wicket 
gate ; and you, who w^ll go with 
me voluntarily in this desperate at- 
tempt, poise your firelocks.' At 
the head of the centre tile he 
marched instantly to the gate, where 
a sentry snapped his gun at him, 
and retreated through the covered 
Way: he pressed forward into the 
fort, and ibrmcd his men on the 
parade in such a manner as to lace 
two opposite barracks. Three huz- 
zas awaked the garrison. A sentry, 
who asked quarter, pointed out the 
apartments of the commanding offi- 
cer; and Allen with a drawn sword 
over the head of Capt. Do la Place, 
who was undressed, demanded the 
surrender of the fort. ' ]5y what 
authority do you demand it .'' in- 
quired the astonished commander. 
' I demand it (said Allen) in the 
name of the great Jehovalj and of 
the continental congress.' The 
summons could not be disobeyed, 
and the foi-t, with its very valuable 
stores and 19 prisoners was imme- 
diately surrendered. Crown Point 
was taken tlie same day, and the 
capture of a sloop of war, soon af- 
terwards, made Allen and his brave 
party complete masters of Lake 
Chainplain." 

Gen. Allen possessed strong pow- 
ers of mind, but they never felt the 
influence of education. Though 
he was brave, humane and gener- 
ous, yet his conduct does not seem 
to have been much influenced by 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



considerations respecting that holy 
and merciful Being, whose charac- 
ter and whose commands are dis- 
closed to us in the scriptures." 

Gen. Allen died at Colchester, 
Feb. 13, 1739, aged 52. 

liittlc Androscoggin River, 

In Maine, has its sources in ponds 
in the towns of V/oodstock, Green- 
wood, and Norway : it passes in a 
southeasterly direction through Ox- 
ford, and falls into the Androscog- 
gin between Minot and Danville, 
opposite to Lewiston. 

Iiittle Compton, R. I. 

Newport CO. This very pleasant 
town, the Indian Seaconnet, lies on 
the ocean, at the eastern entrance 
into Narraganset bay, 9 miles E. by 
N. from Newport, 30 S. S. E. from 
Providence, and 12 S. from Fall 
River, Mass. The soil of the town 
is uncommonly fertile, and being 
cultivated by an industrious class 
of men, is very productive of corn 
and other grain ; beef, pork, but- 
ter, cheese, and wool. 

Seaconnet Rocks, at the south- 
eastern extremity of the town, 
where a break-water has been 
erected by government, is well 
known to sailors, and memorable as 
the place where a treaty was made 
between the English and the Queen 
of the powerful Seaconnet tribe, in 
1674. That tribe is now extinct : 
Seaconnet Rocks is their only mon- 
ument. 

Little Compton is becoming cel- 
ebrated as a place of resort, in sum- 
mer months, for sea air and bath- 
ing ; and very justly so, for very 
few parts of our coast exhibit a 
more interesting location. 

lattle Macliias & Little Rivers. 

See Cutler. 

liittleton, N. H. 

Grafton co. On Connecticut riv- 
er. Its extent on Connecticut river 
is about 14 miles. It is 30 miles 



N. by E. from Haverhill, and 80 
N. N. W. from Concord. Connec- 
ticut river, in passing down the 
rapids called Fifteen Mile Falls, 
extending the whole length of Lit- 
tleton, runs in foaming waves for 
miles together, which render it im- 
possible to ascend or descend with 
boats in safety. There are three 
bridges over the Connecticut in Lit- 
tleton. Amonoosuck river waters 
the S. part, having on its banks small 
tracts of excellent intervale. The 
principal village is on this river, in 
the S. part of the town, and is called 
Glynville. Raspberry, Black, Palm- 
er's and Iron mountains are the 
most prominent elevations. Near 
Amonoosuck river, there is a min- 
eral spring, the water of which is 
said to be similar to the Congress 
spring at Saratoga. The land com- 
prehending Littleton was first grant- 
ed in 17f)4, by the name of C7i/s- 
wick. It was re-granted in 1770, 
by the name oi Apthorp. In 1784, 
Apthorp was divided, and the towns 
of Littleton and Dalton incorporat- 
ed. Population, 1830, 1,435. 

Littleton, Mass. 

Middlesex CO. The Indians call- 
ed this town JVashabah. It is 27 
miles W. N. W. from Boston, and 
10 N. W. from Concord. Incorpo- 
rated, 1715. Population, 1837, S76. 
There are several beautiful ponds 
in the town, and limestone. The 
soil is tolerably good, and adapted 
for the growth of rye and hops. 
There are some manufactures of 
boots, shoes, and straw bonnets. 

liiverniore, Me. 

Oxford CO. An excellent town- 
ship of land, on both sides of the 
Androscoggin river, 25 miles W. 
from Augusta, and 18 N. E. from 
Paris. Incorporated, 1795. Pop- 
ulation, 1830, 2,456; 1837, 2,631. 
There are three pleasant villages 
in the town, fine falls on the river, 
saw mills and other manufactures. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



Wheat crop of 1837, 8,472 bush- 
els. 

Iioudoudcrry, N. II> 

Rockingham co. Adjoining the 
E. line of the county of Hillsbo- 
rough. This town contains very lit- 
tle waste land, and it is believed, 
has as extensive a body of fertile 
soil as any town in the E. section 
of the state. It lies 25 miles S. S. 
E. from Concord, and 33 S. W. from 
Portsmouth. Population, in 1830, 
1,469. 

Londonderry, which formerly in- 
cluded the present town of Derry, 
was settled in 1719, by a colony of 
Presbyterians, from the vicinity of 
the city of Lonilonderry, in the N. 
of Ireland, to which place their an- 
cestors had emigrated about a cen- 
tury before from Scotland. They 
were a part of 120 families, chiefly 
from three parishes, who with their 
religious instructors came to New 
England in the summer of 1713. 
In October, 1718, they applied to 
*the government of Massachusetts 
for the grant of a township, and 
received assurances that a grant 
should be made them when they 
should select a place for its location. 
After some time spent in viewing 
the country, they selected the tract 
afterwards composing the town of 
Londonderry, at first known by the 
name of JVutfield. In 1719, six- 
teen families, accompanied by Rev. 
James McGregore, one of the cler- 
gymen who had emigrated from 
Ireland with them, took possession 
of the tract, and on the day of 
their arrival attended religious ser- 
vices and a sermon under an oak 
on the east shore of Reaver pond. 
The inhabitants of Londonderry in 
1720, purchased the Indian title, 
and although it was long a frontier 
town, were never molested by the 
Indians. They introduced the cul- 
ture of the potatoe, a vegetable till 
then unknown in New England, 
and the manufacture of linen cloth, 
which, though long since declined. 



was for many years a considerable 
source of their early prosperity. 

Rev. Matthew Clark, sec- 
ond minister of Londonderry, was 
a native of Ireland, who had in 
early life been an officer in the 
army, and distinguished himself in 
the defence of the city of London- 
derrv, when besieged by the army 
of King James li. A. D.,l()83-y. 
He afterwards relinquished a mili- 
tary life for the clerical profession. 
He possessed a strong mind, mark- 
ed by a considerable degree of ec- 
centricity. He died January 25, 
1735, and was borne to the grave, 
at his particular request, by his for- 
mer companions in arms, of whom 
there were a considerable number 
among the early settlers of this 
town ; several of whom had been 
made free from taxes throughout 
the British dominions by King Will- 
iam, for their bravery in that mem- 
orable siege. 

A company of 70 men from this 
town, under the command of Capt. 
George Reid, were in the battle of 
Breed's hill, and about the same 
number were in that at Benning- 
ton, in which Capt. David M'Clary, 
one of their citizens, a distinguish- 
ed and brave officer, was killed. 
Major-general John Stark and Col. 
George Reid, officers of the army 
of the revolution, were natives of 
this town. 

liOndouderry, Vt. 

Windham co. West river passes 
though this town and receives sev- 
eral tributaries in it. The land on 
the streams is rich and fertile ; the 
uplands are good for grazing, ex- 
cept those parts that are mountain- 
ous. First settled, 1774. Popula- 
tion, 1S:}0, 1,302. It lies 28 miles 
S. W. from Vv'indsor, and 30 N. E. 
from Bennington. 

liong Islaiicl Souud. 

This inland sea washes the whole 
southern boundary of Connecticut, 
and is formed by Long Island, in the 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



state of New York. This island 
extends from Montauk Point, off 
Stonington, to the harbor of New 
York. Its length is 120 miles. 
The widest part, 20 miles, is off 
New Haven ; the narrowest parts, 
on the border of New England, are 
off the mouth of Connecticut river, 
about 8 miles, and off Greenwich, 
or Saw Pits, 7 miles. 

This Sound, as far as Hurl Gate, 
is navigable for vessels of any bur- 
then, and the passage to and from 
tlie sea round Montauk, is remark- 
ably easy at any time of tide, and 
in all weather. See Judith Point. 
Hurl Gate, sometimes called Hell 
Gate, but properly Horll Gait, 
a Dutch term, signifying a whirl- 
pool, is a narrow strait of difficult 
passage between Long and New 
York^ Islands. At half tide the 
current runs 7 or 8 miles an hour. 
It contains numerous whirlpools, is 
rocky and bears a threatening as- 
pect; but good pilots navigate it 
with ease when the tide is favora- 
ble. Steam-boats press through at 
all times of tide. Through this 
passage a vast amount of the pro- 
ductions of Connecticut and Rhode 
Island pass to New York market. 

A survey for a ship canal, uniting 
these waters and Narraganset bay 
with Boston harbor, was commenc- 
ed by the government of the Uni- 
ted States in 1827. From a tide 
lock at Braintree, in Boston harbor, 
to a tide lock at Somerset, Mass., 
on Taunton river, the distance is 36 
miles. The summit level is at 
Randolph, Mass., 134 feet above 
high water mark at Boston. A sliip 
canal in this direction, or one across 
Cape Cod, at Sandwich, would save 
many lives, and a vast amount of 
property. 

Some of the distances from Prov- 
idence, and along the northern coast 
of this Sound, to the city of New 
York, are here given. 

From Providence to Newport, .jO 
miles: — to Judith Point, 11 — 41 : — 
to the mouth of Stonington har- 



bor, 27 — 68 : — to the mouth of New 
London harbor, S--76 : — to the mouth 
of Connecticut river, 13 — 89 : — to 
the mouth of New Haven harbor, 
27— 116:— to Stratford Point, 10— 
12G : — to the mouth of Fairfield har- 
bor, 6—132 ;— to Norwalk, 8—140 : 
— to Greenwich, or Saw Pits, 15 — 
15.^ :— to Throg's Point, 14—169 :— 
to Hurl Gate, 6— 175 :— to New 
York, 8 miles, making the distance 
from Providence to New York, by 
water, 183 miles. 

As the rail-road from Boston to 
Al!)any, although in good progress, 
is not completed; and as many of 
our friends at the north visiting the 
interior of the state of New York 
find it more agreeable to pass 
through the city of New York and 
up the Hudson river, rather than 
cross the country, we think it may 
be useful to give some, of the dis- 
tances on that noble river, from the 
city of New York to the city of 
Troy. 

Note. — w. denotes west side, e. 
east side. 

From New York to Hoboken,w. 
2 miles: — to Manhattanville, e. 6 — 
8 :— to Fort Lee, w. 2—10 :— to 
King'sBridge,.3— 13:— (The Palis- 
adoes, perpendicular cliffs of great 
elevation, on the west bank of the 
river, commence at Hobcken, and 
extend 20 miles to Tappan bay) to 
Fort Independence, e. 2 — 15: — to 
Tarrytown, e. 12—27 :— to Sing 
Sing, e. 5 — 32 : — to Stony Point 
light-house, w. 8 — 40 : — to Fort 
Fayette, Verplanck's Point, e. 1 — 
41 : — to Dunderburgh Mountain, 
w. and Peekskill, e. 2 — 43 : — (Here 
we enter the justly celebrated 
Highlands, pronounced by every 
honest Yankee to be equal if not 
superior to any scenery of the kind 
in his own country) to St. Antho- 
ny's Nose, e. and Forts Montgome- 
ry and Clinton, w. 3 — 46 : — to But- 
termilk Falls, vv. 4—50 :— to West 
Point— Fort Putnam, w. 2— 52: — 
to West Mountain, vv. and Cold 



NEW EN(iLA.M^ ^, ETTEER. 



Spring, e. 4 — 56: — to Nevvburgh, 
w. 5— CI :— to Hamburgh, e. 7— 
68: — to Poughkeepsie, e. 4 — 72: — 
to Hyde Park, e. 9—81 :— to Lew- 
is' Landing, e. and P^sopus, w. 5 — 
86 : — to Kingston Landing, w. and 
Rhinebeck Landing, e. 4 — 90 : — 
to Upper Red Hook Landing, e. and 
Ulster, w. 11—101 :— to "Catskill 
Landing, w. 9 — 110: — to Hudson, 
e. and Athens, w. 6 — 116: — to 
Coxsackie Landing, \v. 8 — 124 : — 
to Kindcrhook Landing, e. 3 — 127: — 
to Cueinans, vv. 5 — 132 : — to the 
Overslaugh, (sand bars) 9 — 141 : — 
to Albany, w. 3 — 144: — to Troy,e. 
6 — 150. Tiie whole distance tVoin 
Boston to Troy, by this route, is 857 
miles. 

At Catskill Landing, visitors to 
the Catskill mountains stop. Pine 
Orchard Hotel, a splendid building, 
is 12 miles distant. This JMoantain 
House is 2,274 feet above the tide 
of the Hudson. A few years ago 
this enchanting spot was a wilder- 
ness. 

" From this lofiy eminence all 
inequalities of surface arc overlook- 
ed. A seemingly endless succes- 
sion of woods and waters — farms 
and villages, towns and cities, are 
spread out as upon a boundless map. 
Far beyond rise the Tagkannuc 
mountains, and the highlands of 
Connecticut and Massachusetts. To 
the left, and at a still greater dis- 
tance, the (»reen mountains of Ver- 
mont stretch away to the north, and 
their blue summits and tiie blue sky 
mingle together. The beautiful 
Hudson, studded with islands, ap- 
pears narrowed in the distance, 
with steam- boats almost constantly 
in sight; while vessels of every 
description, spreading their white 
canvas to tlie breeze, are moving 
rapidly over its surface, or idly 
loitering in the calm. These may 
be traced to the distance of nearly 
seventy miles with the naked eye ; 
and again at times all below is en- 
veloped in dark clouds and rolling 

19 



mist, which, driven about by the 
wind, is constantly assuming new, 
wild, and fantastic forms. From 
tlie Pine Orchard a ride or walk of 
a mile or two brings you to the 
Kauterskill falls. Here the outlet 
of two small lakes leaps down a 
perpendicular fall of 130 feet — then 
glides away through a channel 
worn in the rock, to a second fall 
of 80 feet. Below this it is lost in 
the dark ravine through which it 
tinds its way to the valley of the 
Catskill." 

Troy is a beautiful city. It lies 
on the east siile of Hudson river, 
in tlie county of Rensselaer, New 
York, at the head of navigation, 
and at the junction of the northern 
and western canals with that noble 
river. The city is on an elevated 
plain, regularly laid out : the streets 
are wide and well shaded : the 
buildings are uniformlj' neat, and 
many of them in a style of superior 
elegance. St. Paul's cliurch, and 
the new Presbyterian, are splendid 
edifices, and di-'-play great taste in 
their construction. 

The city of Troy is abundantly 
supplied with excellent water from 
the neighboring hills, at an expense 
of .$150,000. The source of the 
water is 75 feet above the level of 
the city. At the corner of every 
street are hydrants, and a hose plac- 
ed on these sends the water up 
higher and with greater force than 
a tire engine. 

The squares and private gardens 
are ornamented with perpetual wa- 
ter fountains. 

In Washington Square is an Ital- 
ian marble fountain, chaste and clas- 
sic in its construction, in the centre 
of the city. It sends up the water 
ten or fifteen feet, and in its descent 
resembles the weeping willow. — 
This significant emblem of purity 
gives this beautiful square an addi- 
tional charm. 

Two streams, affording immense 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



water facilities, empty into the 
Hudson within the limits of the 
city, and one of them rolls down a 
beautiful cascade, a short distance 
from Vrashington square ; an olj- 
ject worthy of a visit from the curi- 
ous traveler. These streams move 
the machinery of numerous mills. 

About a quarter of a mile fiom 
the centre of the city, Mount Ida 
rears its head three or four hundred 
feet in height, from whose summit 
every building in the city, the 
windings of the canals and river, 
the foaming of the IMohawk, and 
the neighboring towns of Albany, 
Waterford, and Lansingburgh, are 
distinctly seen. 

Troy was incorporated as a vil- 
lage in 1801. It then had a popu- 
lation of 2,000. Population, 1810, 
3,895. In 1816 it became a city. 
Population, 1820, 5,264; 1825, 
7,875; 1830, 11,405; 1836, 18,000. 

Troy has risen to its present state 
of opulence and population by its 
favorable position for trade, but 
more especially the enterprize and 
economical habits of its people. — 
Many of the first settlers of Troy 
came from New England in humble 
circumstances. Some of those v.'ho 
thus came have amassed piincely 
fortunes, and acquired a name more 
valuable than gold. A recent 
Mayor of the city came from the 
east as a day laborer. The late 
chief magistrate of the justly styled 
" Empire State," a New Englander, 
was found in 1822 soliciting the 
patronage of the Trojans as an at- 
torney at law. Troy was formerly 
called Vanderheyden, in honor of 
a worthy Dutchman whose farm 
comprised the most compact part of 
the city. 

A notice of Mrs.Willard's Fe- 
male Seminary must not be omitted 
in this brief account of the "Foun- 
tain City," as it is an institution of 
rare excellence, conducted by a 
lady of extraordinary attainments. 
This school was commenced at 



Troy in 1821, since which time a 
commodious building, on a pleas- 
ant site, has been erected, 130 feet 
by 40. The number of scholars 
varies from 200 to 275. They come 
from every state in the union, the 
Canadas, the West Indies, and even 
from Europe, but chiefly from the 
state of New York and New Eng- 
land. Mrs. Willard's plan of edu- 
cation has received the approbation 
of some of the wisest men in Eu- 
rope. Dr. Combe quotes it, in his 
essay on education, with unqualifi- 
ed approbation. This institution is 
conducted almost entirely by fe- 
males : it is, in fact, a female col- 
lege, and many are the degrees of 
usefulness conferred by its learned 
principal on its numerous and love- 
ly graduates. 

The institution is incorpoi-ated, 
and it cannot fail of receiving the 
best wishes of the community. — 
May no event occur to mar its pros- 
perity and usefulness. 

The traveler will visit the "Foun- 
tain City " again, on his way from 
Champlain Lake. See Burlington, 
Vt., in the Register. 

Long Meado'w, Mass. 

Hampden co. This is a beauti- 
ful town with a fine soil, on the E. 
side of Connecticut river, 97 miles 
S. W. by V>'. from Boston, 3 S. fi'om 
Springfield, and 22 N. from Hart- 
ford, Ct. Incorporated, 1783. Pop- 
ulation, 1837, 1,251. There are 
several tanneiies in the town, and 
some other nsanufactures, but the 
inhaliitants are generally engaged 
in cultivating the soil. The Indian 
name of the place was Massaesick. 

Long Lake, Me. 

This is a sheet of water at the 
northern part of Piscataquis county, 
about 15 miles in length and 2 in 
width, which empties by Namjam- 
skillecook river into Temiscouata 
lake, the head waters of Madawas- 
ka river. It lies about 210 miles 
N. by E. from Augusta. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



Long Pond, Ale. 

See Bridget OH. 

liOudoii, N. II. 

Merrimack co. Soucook river 
passes from Giliuanton S. tlirougli 
Loudon, furnisliing valuable mill 
privileges. There is sonic good in- 
tervale on its borders. Loudon was 
originally a part of Canterbury ; 
was incorporated, 1773. Loudon 
lies 7 miles N. E. from Concord. 
Population, 1830, 1,642. 

liOvell, Me. 

Oxford CO. Tills town embraces 
Kezer pond, a large sheet of water, 
and other ponds whose outlet is into 
the Saco, at Fryeburgh. Lovell 
lies 10 miles N. from Fryeburgh, 
20 \V. S. W- from Paris, and 67 W. 
S. W. from Augusta. Incorpora- 
ted, 1800. Population, 1837, 876. 

" In this town are Lovell's Falls, 
which aie an object of great natu- 
ral curiosity. Where the water 
makes over into the tremendous ba- 
sin below, it falls perpendicularly 
-10 feet. Above the falls, there is 
a chain of eight ponds, partly in 
Lovell and partly in Waterford, con- 
nected by small natural dams one 
or two rods in width, through which 
there are sluiceways, which will 
admit the passage of a common sail 
boat. The scenery of the moun- 
tains and ascending lands in the vi- 
cinity is rural and beautiful." 

liOAvell, Me. 

Penobscot co. Formerly called 
Huntressville. Incorporated by its 
present name in 1838. " See Down 

East." 

LiOtvell, Vt. 

Orleans co. This town was first 
settled in 1806, and was called ITel- 
leyvale for a number of years. It 
lies 36 miles N. from Montpelier, 
and 10 S. W. from Irasburgh. Pop- 
ulation, 1830, 314. This township 
is mountainous, and the fountain 
head of IMissisque river. 



liO'Mrell, Mass. 

Middlesex co. County town. — 
This city, the American ]\Ianche8- 
ter, is remarkable for the extent of 
its water power, its rapid growth, 
and the height to which it has rais- 
ed the Aniei-ican character, by the 
perfection of its manufactures. 

Lowell lias risen to eminence by 
the remarkable energy and skill of 
a few individuals ; among whom 
Patrick T. Jackson, Esq. of 
Boston, and the late Kirk Boot, 
Esq. were distinguished. 

It lies on the S. side of Merri- 
mack river, below Pawtucket Falls, 
and at the union of Concord river 
with the Merrimack. 

In 1815, the site where the city 
stands was a wilderness, with the 
exception of a few lonely dwell- 
ings. In 1824, Lowell, then a part 
of Chelmsford, was incorporated as 
a town. In 1835, it became a city. 
Lowell is situated 25 miles N. from 
Boston, 14 N. N. E. from Concord, 
37 N. E. from Worcester, and 38 S. 
S. E. from Concord, N. H. Popu- 
lation, 1830, 6,174; 1837, 18,010. 

The hydraulic powerof this place 
i-3 produced by a canal, of a mile 
and a half in length, 60 feet in 
width, and 8 feet in depth, extend- 
ing from the head of Pawtucket 
Falls to Concord river. This canal 
has locks at its outlet into Concord 
river; it also serves for the passage 
of boats up and down the Merri- 
mack. From tliis canal, the water 
is conveyed by lateral canals to va- 
rious places where it is wanted for 
use, and then discharged, either in- 
to the ]Merrimack or Concord. 

The canal is owned by " The 
Proprietors of the Locks and Canals 
on Merrimack river." This com- 
pany was incorporated in 1792, and 
have a capital of ,f 600,000. They 
dispose of lands and mill privileges, 
and own the machine shop, and 
carry on the manufacture of ma- 
chinery. The first cotton mill at 
this place was erected in 1822. 

The whole fall of the Merrimack 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



at this place is 30 feet, and the 
quantity of water never falls short 
of 2,000 cubic feet per second, 
and is very rarely so low as that. 
This quantity of water is estimated 
to carry 286,000 spindles, with all 
the preparatory machinery. There 
is therefore an unimproved water 
power at this place sufficient to 
carry eleven mills of the usual size, 
making the whole number of mills 
39, when all the water is impioved. 

There are 10 corporations, with a 
capital stock of $8,250,000: 28 mills 
besides machine shops, print works, 
&c., all warmed in cold weather by 
hot air or steam. 

There are 150,404 spindles, and 
4,861 looms. There are 51,147,200 
yards of cloth manufactured per an- 
num ; 12,220,000 yards dyed and 
printed, and 16,161,600 lbs. of cot- 
ton used annually, besides a large 
quantity of wool. 

There are annually used in these 
manufactories, 11,000 tons of An- 
thi-acite coal, 4,810 cords of wood, 
500,000 bushels of charcoal, 63,4S9 
gallons of oil, 510,000 pounds of 
starch, and 3,800 barrels of flour 
for starch in the print works and 
bleachery. 

The number of females employ- 
ed in the mills, is 6,295 : number of 
males, 2,047. Total number of 
hands, 8,342. The average wages 
of females per week, clear of board, 
is $1,75; of males, 80 cents per 
day, clear of board. The average 
amount of wages paid per month 
is $106,000. 

Tlie goods manufactured in these 
mills consist of sheetings, shirtings, 
drillings, calicoes, broadcloths, cas- 
simeres, carpets, rugs, negro cloth ; 
machinery for mills, and for en- 
gines and cars for rail-roads. The 
quality of these goods is general- 
ly superior to those imported. The 
annual amount of goods manu- 
factured by these mills is about 
$8,000,000. 

The mills are built of brick, and 
are about 157 feet in length, 45 in 



breadth, and from 4 to 7 stories in 
height. 

The Locks and Canals Machine 
Shop, included among the 28 mills, 
can furnish machinery complete for 
a null of 5,000 spindles in four 
months, and lumber and materials 
are always at command, with which 
to build or rebuild a mill in that 
time, if required. When building 
mills, the Locks and Canals Com- 
pany employ directly and indirect- 
ly from a thousand to twelve hun- 
dred hands. 

There are also in Lowell 10 
powder mills, a flour mill, glass 
works, the Lowell bleachery, flan- 
nel mills, and manufactories of cards, 
Vv^liips, planing and reed machines, 
boots, shoes ; brass, copper and tin 
wares, carriages, harnesses, iron 
castings, &c. &c. ; the annual pro- 
ceeds of which amount to about 
$500,000, employing about 200 
hands. 

Lowell is finely situated in regard 
to health : it is surrounded by pleas- 
ant hills and valleys, and seated on 
a rapid stream. We are enabled to 
state on good authority that 6 of 
the females out of 10 enjoy better 
health than before being employed 
in the mills, and that one half of the 
males derive the same advantage. 

Lowell is very handsomely locat- 
ed : it is laid out into wide streets ; 
all the buildings are of recent con- 
struction, and in a style of neatness 
and elegance. 

With regard to the future pros- 
perity of this interesting city, noth- 
ing need be said to those who know 
that it was founded, and is princi- 
pally sustained, by the most emi- 
nent capitalists of Boston ; a city 
renowned for its enterprize, wealth, 
and public spirit. 

To strangers we would say — visit 
it. It is a pleasant ride of about an 
hour from Boston, by the rail-road. 
Foreigners view Lowell with ad- 
miration ; and every American who 
sees it feels proud that such a city 
exists on this side of the Atlantic. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



liubec, Me. 

Washington co. Lubcc compris- 
es a tOM'nsliip of good land, lying 
at the northeasterly corner of the 
state, and contains a point of land 
extending easterly on which West 
Quoddy Head light-house is situa- 
ted, at the western entrance into 
Passamaquoddy bay. This place 
possesses an admirable harbor for 
vessels of any draught of water ; it 
is easy of access and never obstruct- 
ed by ice. There are also within 
the town a number of bays, coves, 
and several islands. Grand Menan 
stretches off the mouth of the har- 
bor on the E. 5 or 6 miles distant, 
and Campo Ballo, another English 
island, lies very near and protects 
the harbor on the north. This 
town was taken from Eastport in 
1811, and contained 3S0 inhabit- 
ants. Population, 1820, 1430; 1830, 
2,081; 1S37, 4,1(51. 

Lubec, in common with Eastport, 
enjoys a very extensive trade with 
the Bay of Fundy and the great 
waters of Passamaquoddy bay. 
The village, or principal place of 
business, is beautifully located on a 
point of land jutting out into the 
harbor ; it makes a fine appearance, 
commands an active trade, and is 
flourishing in its navigation and 
fishery. It lies 3 miles S. from 
Eastport, 30 E. from Machias, 173 
E. by N. from Augusta, and 31 S. 
E. from Calais, at the head of navi- 
gation on the St. Croix river. 

Liudlo'n', Vt. 

Windsor co. Black and Williams' 
rivers give this town a good water 
power. It is likewise watered by 
a number of large ponds well stor- 
ed with fish. Ludlow was first set- 
tled in 1784. It lies 61 miles S. 
from Montpelier, and 18 S. W. from 
Windsor. Population, 1830, 1,227. 

The town is mountainous, but 
contains good land foi- the grazing 
of sheep and other cattle. The 
village is very pleasant, nnd the 
centre of consideralile trade with 

19* 



the surrounding country. Some 
valuable minerals have been discov- 
ered here. 

Ludlo^v, Mass. 

Hampden CO. This town lies N. 
of Wilbrabam, and is separated from 
it by Chickopec river. It is 84 
miles W. by S. from Boston, and 10 
N. E. from Springfield. Incorpo- 
rated, 1774. The Chickopee here 
is a large stream, and adds much to 
the beauty of the place. There 
are two cotton mills in the town, 
and manufactures of palm-leaf hats 
and ploughs: total value, in one 
year, $160,850. Population, 1837, 
1,329. 

Liuieiiburgh, Vt. 

Essex CO. On the west side of 
Connecticut river, and watered by 
Neal's branch and pond, and Cat- 
bow branch ; — good mill streams. 
Some of the land is very good, but 
the most of it is stony, appearently 
of diluvial formation, consisting of 
rounded masses of granite embed- 
ded in clay and gravel. This is a 
good grazing town, and produces 
some cattle, and butter and cheese 
for market. First settled about 
1770. Population, in 1830, 1,054. 
Lunenburgh lies 45 miles E. N. 
E. from Montpelier, and 8 S. from 
Guildhall. 

Liuiieubiirgli, Mass. 

Worcester co. The soil of this 
town is good, the surface uneven 
and watered by some branches of 
Nashua river. Considerable amount 
of books are printed and bound in 
this town, and there are some man- 
ufactures of palm-leaf hats, chairs, 
cabinet ware, leather, boots and 
shoes. Lunenburgh is a very pleas- 
ant town: 42 miles N. W. from 
Boston, and 24 N. from AVorcester. 
Incorporated, 1728. Population, 
1837, 1,2.j0. 

Lyman, Mi;. 

York CO. This is a pleasant 



NinV EXGLAN'D GAZE'TTEER, 



town, watered by several pondi 
which empty, some into the .Saco, 
and others into the Kennobunk and 
Mousum. It lies 87 miles S. VV. 
from Augusta, 5 E. from Alfred and 
6 N. N. W. from Kennebunk. Pop- 
ulation, 1837, 1,528. 

Iiyman, N. H. 

Grafton co. On Connecticut riv- 
er. This town is 13 miles above 
Haverhill, 90 miles N. N. W. from 
Concord. There is one considera- 
ble elevation, called Lyman's moun- 
tain. The N. W. branch of Burn- 
ham's river has its source from this 
mountain. There are several ponds 
in the E. part of Lyman, through 
the largest of which Burnham's 
river has its course. The lower bar 
of the Fifteen Mile falls is in this 
town. Carleton's falls are several 
miles below, and below these is 
Stevens' ferry, which communi- 
cates with Barnet. Lyman was 
granted in 1761. Population, in 
1830, 1,.321. 

Ijyine, N. H. 

Grafton co. This town is 6 miles 
S. from Orford, and -54 N. W. from 
Concord. The soil here is similar 
to that of other towns on Connecti- 
cut river, with this difference, that 
there is a less proportion of inter- 
vale, and a less difference between 
that directly a<ljoining the river and 
the other parts of the town. There 
are three small streams passing 
through Lyme and emptying into 
Connecticut river. There are two 
small ponds, the largest of which is 
called Ports pond. There is a moun- 
tain, called Smart's mountain, lying 
in the N. E. part of the town. — 
Lyme was granted 1761. The town 
was settled 1764. Population, in 
1830, 1,804. 

Lyme, Ct. 

New London co. Lyme is situ- 
ated at the mouth of Connecticut 
river, on the east side, opposite to 
gaybrook. It is a pleasant town, 



generally of good soil, but greatly 
Jiversitied in regard to surface: 
some parts are mountainous and 
rocky, while others are level, with 
large tracts of salt meadow. The 
town is watered by several streams 
and ponds, and the shores on the 
sound and river are indented by 
small bays and harbors, which af- 
ford the town some navigable privi- 
leges. There are several neat vil- 
lages in the town, a cotton mill, 
2 woolen factories, and about 6,000 
sheep. Lyme was lirst settled in 
1664. Incorporated, 1667. It lies 
40 miles S. E. from Hartford, and 40 
E. from New Haven. Population, 
1830, 4,084. Its Indian name was 
A''ehantic. 

Among the first settlers was 
Matthew Griswold, the ances- 
tor of two governors, and of a nu- 
merous and highly respected family 
in the state. 

A tract of land, once an Indian 
reservation, was for some time in 
dispute between the towns of Lyme 
and New London. It was finally 
agreed to settle their respective ti- 
tles to the land in controversy, by a 
combat between two champions, to 
be chosen by each for that purpose. 
The combatants were chosen, and 
on a day mutually appointed, the 
champions appeared in the field, 
and fought with their fists till vic- 
tory declared in favor of each of the 
Lyme combatants. Lyme then qui- 
etly took possession of the contro- 
verted tract, and has held it un- 
disputed, to the present day. 

Deacon Marvin, a large land 
holder and an exemplary man, was 
exceedingly eccenti-ic in some of 
his notions. His courtship, it is 
said, was as follows: — Having one 
day mounted his horse, with only a 
sheep skin for a saddle, he rode in 
fi'ont of the house where Betty Lee 
lived, and without dismounting re- 
quested Betty to come to him ; on 
her coming, he told her that the 
Lord had sent him there to marry 
her. Betty, without much hesi- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



tation, replied, The Lord's -will be 
dune. 

The following is on the Deacon's 
monument in the grave yard, dated, 
October 18, 1737. 

This Deacon aged Go : 
Is freed on earth from serving 
May for a crown no longer wait : 

Lyme's Captain Rkv.nolu Marvin. 

layudeborougli, N. H> 

Hillsborough co. This town is 
10 miles W. N. W. from Amherst, 
and 35 S. S. VV. from Concord. It 
is an elevated township, having a 
considerable mountain which di- 
vides it from E. to W. There is, in 
the N. E. part of the town, below 
the mountain, a plain, where there 
is a small village, pleasantly situat- 
ed near Piscataquog river. The 
soil of this town, though stony, is 
deep and strong. For grazing it is, 
perhaps, not exceeded by any town 
in the county. The streams are 
small, originating principally from 
sources in the town, and running 
N. and S. from the mountain. — 
Lyndehorough was originally grant- 
ed in 1690. In 1753, Benjamin 
Lynde, Esq. of Salcrn, purchased a 
considerable part of the township, 
and adjoining lands. From him, 
the place, when it was incorporated 
in 1761, took the name of Lyndeho- 
rough. It was settled as earlv as 
17.50. On the loth of Nov., 1S09, 
three children were burnt in a barn, 
while their parents were attending 
an installation at Mont Vernon. — 
Population, in 1S30, 1,117. 

Iiyiidon, Vt. 

Caledonia co. First settled, 1788. 
It lies 34 miles N. E. from Mont- 
pelier, and 10 N. N. E. from Dan- 
ville. Population, 1830, 1,822. 
Lyndon is one of the best townships 
in the state : its surface is undulat- 
ing, with a soil of rich loam, free 
from stone, easy to cultivate, and 
very productive of wool, cattle, 
pork, butter and cheese. It is ad- 
mirably well watered bj' the Pas- 



sumpsic and some of its tributaries. 
Two important falls of that river 
are in the town, one of 65 feet in 
the distance of 30 rods ; the other 
of 18 feet. These are called Great 
and Little Falls, and afford a water 
power of great extent. Agaric 
mineral, used for chalk, and a good 
substitute for Spanish wliite, is found 
here. The principal village is very 
pleasant and the seat of considera- 
l)le business. The scenery about 
the town is picturesque and inter- 
esting. There is probably no inte- 
rior town in the state that contains 
more valuable water privileges than 
Lyndon. 

Liyiiu, Mass. 

Essex CO. Lynn is one of the 
most flourishing and beautiful towns 
in the state. It lies on a plain, sur- 
rounded by rising ground, except 
on the east, where it opens to Lynn 
bay, embracing the romantic pen- 
insula of jYahant, with its beauti- 
ful beach, and Phillips' Point, both 
highly esteemed resorts for all class- 
es of people; — the sick, the serious, 
and tlie gay. The soil of the t»wn 
is fertile and well cultivated. It is 
watered by the river Saiigus, the 
Indian name of the place. The 
town is neatly built on wide and 
pleasant streets, and contains a pop- 
ulation of about 10,000. It lies 9 
miles N. E. from Boston, and 5 S. 
W. from Salem. 

Lynn has risen to wealth and 
importance by the enterprise and 
industry of its people, in the manu- 
facture of shoes, particularly for 
which, more than any other town 
in the country, it is justly celebra- 
ted. The manufacture of ladies' 
shoes was commenced here before 
the revolutionary war, and it is cu- 
rious to observe the great changes 
that have occurred in the fashion 
and manufacture of that article. 

" In olden times," says the New- 
buryport Herald, "ladies' shoes 
were made in Lynn of common 
woolen cloth, or coarse curried 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



leather; afterwards of stuffs sucli 
as cassimere, everlasting, shalloon 
and russet; some of satin and da- 
mask,others of satin lasting and fior- 
entine. They were generally cut 
w^ith straps, for large buckles, 
which were worn in those days by 
women as well as men. Ladies' 
shoes, 70 years ago, were made 
mostly with white and russet rands, 
and stitched very fine on the rancl 
with white-waxed thread. Some 
were made turn pumps and channel 
pumps, all having wooden heels, 
called cross-cut, commoii,and court 
heels. Then the cork, plug, and 
wedge or spring heels, came into 
use. The sole-leather was all 
worked with the flesh side out. 

" Previous to the war of the revo- 
lution, the market for Lynn shoes 
was principally confined to New 
England ; some few, however, 
were exported to Philadelphia. 
Many individuals with small cai)i- 
tal carried on the business in their 
own families. Fathers, .sons, ap- 
prentices, and one or two journey- 
men, all in one small shop, with a 
chimney in one corner, formed the 
whole establishment. 

"After the revolution, the business 
assumed a different aspect. Enter- 
prising individuals embarked in the 
business in good earnest; hired 
a great number of journeymen ; 
built large shops, took apprentices, 
and drove the business. Master 
workmen shipped their shoes to 
the south, so that Lynn shoes took 
the place of English and other im- 
ported shoes. Morocco and kid 
leather, suitable for shoes, began 
to be imported from England, which 
soon took the place of stuffs. Roan 
shoes were now little called for; 
and the improvement of working 
the sole-leather grain side out, was 
now generally adopted, making 
what is called dt(ff bottoms. About 
the year 1794, wooden heels began 
to go out of use, by the introduc- 
tion of leather spring heels. Tliis 
improvement progressed gradually. 



until the heel making, which was 
once a good business, was totally 
ruined." 

In the year ending April 1,1837, 
there were manufactured in Lynn 
2, .543, 929 pairs of shoes, and 2,220 
pairs of boots, valued at $1,689,793. 
In this manufacture, 2,631 malrs 
and 2,554 I'emales were employed ; 
total number, 5,185. During that 
time the manufacture of vessels, 
cordage, tin ware, oil casks, moroc- 
co leather and shoe boxes amounted 
to $188,409. During the same pe- 
i-iod there were 5 vessels employed 
in the whale and 14 in the cod and 
mackerel fishery. Besides this, 
4,608,000 pounds of cod, haddock, 
halibut and other fish were tak- 
en in boats and sold fresh. The to- 
tal value of the fisheries amounted 
(o $170,320. Total value of the 
manufactures and fisheries of Lj'nn, 
in one year, $2,048,522. Lynn 
was first settled in 1629. Incorpo- 
rated, 1637. 

Lyuuiield, Mass. 

Essex CO. The surface of this 
town is uneven, and the soil rather 
hard and unproductive. It contains 
some good farms, a number of pleas- 
ant ponds, and is watered by Ips- 
wich river on the north. There is 
a woolen mill in the town, and man- 
ufactures of bar iron, ploughs, boots 
and shoes ; annual value about 
$50,000. Incorporated, 1782.— 
Populafion, 1837, 674. Lynnfield 
is 12 miles N. from Boston, and 9 
W. by N. from Salem. 

Macliias Rivers aud Bay, Me. 

The river in Washington County 
is formed of two branches, which 
receive their head waters from sev- 
eral ponds, at the distance of about 
40 miles, in a N. W. direction. — 
The eastern branch passes through 
East Machias. These branches 
unite near the line of Machias and 
Machias Port, and in their course 
produce a great and valuable hy- 
draulic power. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



Machias and Little Machias riv- 
ers, in Penobscot county, are iin- 
portiint tributaries to the Aroostook. 
Their course is easterly, and their 
mouths meet near eacli otlier about 
30 niiles'W. N. W. from Mars Hill. 

Jifachias Bay sets up from the 
sea about 10 miles and meets Ala- 
chias Port. This bay is 4 or 5 milei 
in wiilth at its mouth, aud contains 
in its bosom several coves, hai-bors, 
and beautiful islands : Cross island 
lying at its mouth is the largest, 
being about 3 miles by 2. 

Macliias, 3Ie. 

Washington co. County town. 
This was a famous lodgement of the 
Indians. First settled, 1762. It 
was incorporated in 1781, and was 
the lirst coi-porate town between 
Penobscot and St. Croix i-ivcrs. it 
formerly comprised East Machias 
and Machias Port. The village is 
situated on the east side of the 
west branch, and near the mouth 
of Middle river. It contains the 
county building, numerous saw 
mills, and has an extensive trade, 
particularly in lumber. Machias 
lies 143 miles E. N. E. from Augus- 
ta. Population, 1S37, 1,239. This 
is a pleasant and interesting town. 

Machias Port, Mc. 

Wasliington co. Incorporated 
in 1826. It is the southern part of 
Old Machias, and extends north- 
ward to the union of the branches 
of Machias river. It has a great 
number of mills, and is very exten- 
sively engaged in the lumber trade. 
It is a port of entry : — it has an 
excellent harbor, anil considerable 
navigation in the coasting and fisli- 
ing business. The tonnage of the 
district in 1837, was 8,360 tons. In 
this part of Old Machias the Ply- 
mouth Colony established a trading 
house in 163<). It was subsequent- 
ly occupied by the French for sev- 
eral years. Machias Port lies 146 
miles E. N. E. from Augusta, and 



3 S. from Machias. Population, 
1837, 821. 

Madainiscoiitis River, Me., 

Rises in a large pond, and emp- 
ties, from the N. W. into Penobscot 
liver, about 45 miles above Ban- 
gor. 

Mada'tvaska Hiver, Me. 

This river is in the county of Pe- 
nobscot, and is the outlet of Temis- 
couata lake, and other large bodies 
of water in the noi'thern part of the 
county bordering on the line of 
Lower Canada. This river and 
these lakes, with their numerous 
tributaries, water a country of great 
extent, and which is said to equal 
any country in the world in fertili- 
ty, even the luxuriant piairies of the 
"' boundless west." The course of 
these watei-s is N. W. and traverse a 
distance of more than 100 miles. 
From the mouth of Madawaska in- 
to the St. John's to Augiista is about 
240 miles N. N. E. 

Madawaska, Me. 

Washington co. This town was 
incorporated in 1831, and comprises 
the territory n^arked F. and K. on 
Greenleaf's map. It is bounded E. 
by the British Province of New 
Brunswick, N. near the passage of 
St. John's, across the line of the 
state ; and W. and S. by a vast and 
fertile territory between the Aroos- 
took and St. John's rivers ; at pres- 
ent but thinly inhabited. This town 
was the place where the land agents 
of Maine were taken, by order of 
the Biitish govei-nment, and impris- 
oned at Frederickton, N. B. In 
1837, Madawaska was supposed to 
contain a population of 2,487. It 
lies about 220 miles N. E. by N. 
fiom Augusta, and 130 N. W. from 
Frederickton, N. B. 

Madbiiry, N. H., 

Strafford co., is bounded N. E. 
by Dover, S. W. by Durham and 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



Lee, N. W. by Barriagton. The 
soil of tliis town is generally pro- 
ductive. In some parts of the town, 
bog iron ore has been dug up in 
considerable quantities, and in some 
instances red and yellow ochre. — 
Bellamay bank river is the only 
istream of any magnitude, and Bar- 
badoes pond the only considerable 
body of water. This pond lies be- 
tween Dover and Madbury, and ii 
120 rods long, 50 wide. Madbury 
formerly constituted a part of the 
ancient town of Dover; but was set 
off and incorporated May 31, 1755, 
by its present name. Population, 
in 1S30, 510. 

Mailisoii, Ele. 

Somerset co. This township lies 
on the E. side of Kennebec river, 
31 miles N. from Augusta and 
bounded S. by Norridgewock. It 
was incorporated in 1304. Popula- 
tion, 1830, 1,272 ; 1837, 1,608. It 
is watered by a beautiful pond, the 
outlet of wliich is at Skowhegan. 
There are three pleasant villages in 
the town : — the people are general- 
ly husbandmen. The best compli- 
ment that can be paid to the soil is, 
that it produced, without any extra- 
ordinary eflbrt, 10,188 bushels of 
wheat, in 1837. 

Matlison, Ct. 

New Haven co. This tov/n was 
taken from Guilford in 1826. It lies 
on Long Island Sound, and embra- 
ces what is called Hammonassct 
Point. This tovvn lies IS miles E. 
by S. from New Haven, and 33 S. 
from Hartford. Population, 1830, 
1,809. The soil of the town is 
stony, and naturally hard to culti- 
vate ; but it is made quite produc- 
tive of coi'n, rye and potatoes by the 
use of white fish, ploughed in. — 
These fish appeai' in the sound about 
the 1st of June, and continue 3 or 
4 months. They are taken in great 
quantities and are considered an ex- 
cellent manure. They were first 
thus used about the year 1793. — 



About 10,000 of these fish are con- 
sidered a good dressing for an acre 
of land. 

This place has a small harbor and 
some navigation. Ship building is 
the most important mechanical pur- 
suit. 

The Hon. Thomas Chitten- 
den, for many years governor of 
Vermont, and his brother Ebene- 
ZEK. Chittenden, a gentleman 
of great niL-ciianical genius, were 
natives of ihis town. The former 
was born in 1730, and died in 1797. 

The following is the inscription 
on a monument in the grave yard, 
in aieniory of an old sea captain. 

Though Boreas' blasts and Neptune's 
vi^aves 

Have toss'd me to and fro, 
In spite of both by God's decree 

I harbor here below. 
Where I do at anclior ride 

With many of our fleet; 
Yet once again I must set sail 

Our Admiral, Christ, to meet. 

Mad Rivei-s. 

Mad River hi JV. H., i-ises 
among the mountains in the N. E. 
part of Grafton county ; it crosses 
the S. E. part of Thornton and falls 
into the Pemigewasset at Campton. 

Mad River, Vt. A rapid stream, 
rises in the high lands S. of War- 
ren, and after passing through 
Waitsfield, it falls into Onion riv- 
er at Moretown. 

Kaclritl, Ble. 

Franklin co. This township was 
incorporated in 1836. It is watered 
by some of the head branches of 
Sandy river and contains a part of 
Saddleback mountain. The soil is 
excellent and yielded, in 1837, 
3,387 bushels of wheat. Popula- 
tion same year, 351. It lies 25 
miles N. W. from Farmington and 
about 105 N. W. from Augusta. 

Maduukceuiik River, Me. 

Penobscot co. A tributary of 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



the Penobscot on the W. side, about 
6 miles above the Madamiscontis. 

Maidstone, Vt. 

Essex CO. Tiiis mountainous 
township lies on the \V. side of 
Connecticut river : it is watered by 



a pleasant pond and by Paul's 
stream. It has some good land, but 
most of it is poor. First settled, 
1770. Population, 1S30, 236. It 
lies .51 miles N. E. from Montpelier, 
and S N. from Guildhall 



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MAINE. 

This State was originally granted by James I. to the Plymouth Compa- 
ny, in 1606, by whom it was transferred to Rlason and Gorges in 1624. 
This grant comprised all the territory between Merrimack river and Sa- 
gadahock. The territory was afterwards purchased by Massachusetts for 
JC1,250, who obtained a confirmation of the charter in 1691, %vith the ad- 
dition of the residue of Maine and Nova Scotia, including what is now 
called the Province of New Brunswick. 

This state, formerly the District of Maine, became independent of 
Massachusetts in 1820. By the Constitution, the legislative power is 
vested in a Senate and House of Representatives, elected annually by 
the people, on the second Monday in September. The number of Sen- 
ators cannot be less than 20, nor more than 31. The number of Repre- 
sentatives cannot be less than 100, nor more than 200. No town or city 
is entitled to more than seven Representatives. 

The executive power is vested in a Governor, who is chosen annually 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 

by tlie people, on the second Monday In September: — His official term 
commences on the first Wednesday in January. 

The Legislature meets at Augusta, on the first Wednesday in Janu- 
ary, annually, on which day seven Counsellors are elected, by joint bal- 
lot of both Houses, to advise the Governor in his executive duties. 

The judicial power of the state is vested in a Supreme Judicial Court, 
and such other courts as the Legislature may, from time to time, estab- 
lish. The Judges are appointed by the Governor and Council, and hold 
their offices during good behavior, but not beyond the age of 70 years. 

The state of Maine is bounded northwest and north by Lower Canada, 
east by New Brunswick, south by the Atlantic ocean, and west by New 
Hampshire. It is situated between 43° 5', and 48° 3' N. lat. and 70° 
55', and 66° 47' W. Ion. It contains an area of about 33,000 square miles. 

The surface of the state is diversified by hills and valleys. A tract on 
the west side east of the white mountains, and a part of the north bound- 
ary is mountainous, though not of extraordinary elevations. The high- 
est mountains lie in detached groups, but they are not numerous. 

The range of high land which crosses Vermont and New Hampshire, 
enters the northwest corner of Maine, passing round Chaudiere river 
and the head waters of Megantic lake, in Canada, and running nearly 
parallel with the St. Lawrence river, at the distance of about twenty 
miles, terminates on the gulph of St. Lawrence, near Cape Rosier. — 
This is the " Height of Land" or the " North East Ridge," spoken of iu 
the treaty of 17S3, between Great Britain and the United States, ami 
which was never called in question until 1814, when the British pleni- 
potentiaries at Ghent proposed to the American Commissioners to discuss 
and revise the boundary, so as to prevent future uncertainty and dispute. 
They stated that they desired a direct communication between Quebec 
and Halifax, and left it to the Americans to demand an equivalent. This 
proposition was refused by the Americans, on the ground that there was 
no question in regard to the limits of their territory. The " disputed ter- 
ritory," so called, includes most of the country north of latitude 46°, in- 
cluding a part of New Hampshire, and most of that large and valuable 
portion of Maine watered by the Madawaska, St. John's, Walloostook. 
Aroostook, and other riveri. This question involves nearly a third part of 
the territory of the state. 

In the 2d article of that treaty are the following words : — " And that 
all disputes which might arise in future, on the subject of boundaries 
of the United States, may he jirevented, it is hereby agreed and declar- 
ed that the following are, and shall be, their boundaries, viz : from the 
northwest angle of JVova Scotia, (New Brunswick) viz: that angle 
which is formed by a line drawn due noith from the source of St. Croix 



KKW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 

river to the liighlands ; along the said highlands which divide those riv- 
ers that empty themselves into the river St. Lawrence from those which 
fall into the Atlantic ocean, to the north westernmost head of the Connec- 
ticut river." 

" Our commissioners at Ghent, having successfully resisted every attempt 
for the dismemberment of Maine, agreed upon an article with the British 
commissioners, not to revise or to change the ancient treaty boundary, 
but to run and establish upon the ground that very boundary, without 
any alteration, and to ascertain " the northwest angle of Nova Scotia ;" 
its place of beginning. This article is the fifth in the treaty. Under it, 
each parly appointed a commissioner. These commissioners disagreed. 
According to the treaty, the question was then referred to the King of the 
Netherlands, as umpire, who.e award was rejected by the United States, 
because it did not even profess to decide the controversy according to the 
terms of the submission, hut i^i-oposcd a compromise, by a division of the 
disputed territory between tho parties. Great Britian has also since an- 
nounced her abandonment of this award; and now, at the end of more 
than half a century after the conclusion of the treaty of 1783, the ques- 
tion not only remains unsettled, but threatens to involve the two nations in 
a dangerous dispute. 

" The northwest angle of Nova Scotia was a well known point, capa- 
ble of being easily ascertained, ever since the proclamation of 1763, by 
simply running a due north line from the source of the St. Croix, to in- 
tersect the southern line of the Province of Quebec, which consists of 
the highlands running from the western extremity of the bay of Chaleur, 
to the head of Connecticut river, and dividing those rivers that empty 
themselves into the river St. Lawrence from those which fall into the 
Atlantic ocean. It is certain as the laws of nature, that these highlands, 
from which we know that streams do flow in opposite directions, can be 
found on the face of the country. 

" The whole argument of the British government rests upon the assump- 
tion that the St. John's is not a river falling into the Atlantic ocean, be- 
cause it has its month in the Bay of Fundy. What is the Bay of Fundy, 
if it be not a part of the Atlantic ocean ? A bay is a mere opening of 
the main ocean into the land — a mere interruption of the uniformity of 
the sea coast by an indentation of water. These portions of the oceaa 
have received the name of bays, solely to distinguish them from the 
remainder of the vast deep to which they belong. Would it not be the 
merest special pleading to contend that the bay of Naples was not a por- 
tion of the Mediterranean, or that the Bay of Biscay was not a part of 
the Atlantic ocean ? 

" Again, the description of the treaty is, " rivers which fall into the 
20 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 

Atlantic ocean." Can it be said, with any propriety, that a river does 
not fall into the Atlantic, because in reaching the main ocean it may 
pass through a bay ? And yet this is the British argument. The Dela- 
ware does not fall into the Atlantic, because it flows into it througli the 
bay of Delaware J and, for the same reason, the St. John's does not fall 
into the Atlantic, because it flows into it through the bay of Fundy." 

It is ardently wished that this perplexing controversy may soon be ami- 
cably settled between two friendly powers, whose interests are so closely 
united. This will probably be the event. Maine is determined to vin- 
dicate her rights, and the whole country stands ready to sustain them. 

Maine is divided into the twelve following counties: York, Cumber- 
land, Lincoln, Kennebec, Waldo, Hancock, Oxford, Somerset, Penobscot, 
Washington, Franklin, and Piscataquis. 

Succession of Governors. 

William King, 1820. Albion K. Parris, 1S21— 1825. E. Lincoln, 
1826—1829. Jonathan G. Hunton, 1830. Samuel E. Smith, 1831— 
1833. Robert P. Dunlap, 1834—1837. Edward Kent, 1838. John 
Fairiield, 1839- 

Succession of Chief Justices. 

Prentiss Mellen, 1820—1834. Nathan Weston, 1834— 

The soil of Maine is various. For some miles from the sea coast it is 
rocky, sandy or clayey, with some fertile portions ; generally this is the 
least productive part of the state. Advancing into the interior, the soil 
increases in fertility. The average quality of the soil is considered to be 
equal if not superior to any other portion of New England. In some 
parts it is not exceeded in fertility by any section of the Union. Some 
of the most fertile parts of Maine are now almost a wilderness. 

The ability of the soil of Maine to furnish an ample supply of bread 
stuflFs, was fully tested in 1837, by the production of more than a million 
bushels of wheat, besides vast quantities of rye and corn. 

The natural productions in the state, already known to exist in ex- 
haustless quantities, are pine and hemlock timber ; granite, slate, lime, 
iron, and all the materials in the composition of glass. Of the first 
report of the learned and indefatigable Dr. Jackson, on the geology of 
Maine, the celebrated professor Silliman thus speaks : 

" Maine is a country chiefly of primary rocks, with a large division 
of those of transition, and towards New Brunswick it has an important 
region of the lower secondary. Every where it has alluvial and diluvial 
deposits, and vast igneous formations, not only in the interior, but form- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 

ing a barrier agaiust the ocean surge along a considerable part of an im- 
mense sea coast, indented as it is by bays and estuaries almost beyond 
example. Among the mineral formations of Maine, are granite, gneiss, 
mica and talcose, and other slates, including roofing slate and alum 
slate; also, soapstone, limestone and marble, sandstones and brecciated 
rock-s of many varieties ; jasper, including the beautiful greenstone, 
trap and its varieties, and porpliyrj'. The trap djkes are numerous and 
exceedingly distinct : They cut through most of the other rocks, and pro- 
duce upon them, most distinctly, those peculiar effects, which to a de- 
monstration prove their igneous origin. Scientific geology is greatly 
indebted to this survey for some of the most lucid and convincing facts 
on this head ; while the diluvial deposits, the boulders and ruins, the dilu- 
vial furrows in the rocks, the sea shells now adhering to and inherent in 
rocks which once formed the sea coast, although elevated twenty-six 
feet above the sea board, a salt spring at Lubec, and many other topics 
equally illustrate other parts of scientific geology. 

Dr. Jackson is entirely master of his subject, as well as of the kindred 
sciences of mineralogy and chemistry, and his report is remarkable for 
its lucid clearness and its attractive style." 

The sea coast of Maine, extending more than 230 miles, indented by 
an almost countless number of bays, harbors and islands of romantic beau- 
ty, presents facilities for navigation unrivalled by any portion of the globe. 
The great rivers, St. Croix, Penobscot, Kennebec, Androscoggin, and 
Saco, with their numerous tributaries piercing the interior, give to the 
farmer and mechanic a cheap and easy mode of transportation. These 
rivers, and thousands of ponds and other streams, dispersed throughout 
the state, afford a water power of vast extent and usefulness. 

The celebrated John Smith made an unsuccessful attempt to settle 
this part of the country as early as 1614. The first permanent lodgment 
of the whites in the state was made from the Plymouth colony, at York, 
in 1630. 

The first settlers of Maine were a race of men of good minds, stout 
hearts and strong arms. By them and their sons the stately forests were 
converted into an article of commerce, of immense value ; thus prepar- 
ing the soil for its ultimate staples, wheat, beef, and wool. Sec 
Res:ister. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



Maiden, Mass. 

Middlesex co. A bridge over 
Mystic river, 2,420 feet in length, 
connects this town with Charles- 
lown. It lies 5 miles N. fi'om Bos- 
ton, and 16 E. by S. from Concord. 
First settled, 1648. Incorporated, 
1649. Population, 18.30, 2,010; 
1837, 2,30.3. It contains a large 
tract of salt meadow, and consider- 
able timber. The uplands are 
rough and uneven. The manufac- 
tures of Maiden consist of leather, 
boots, shoes, block tin, tin ware, 
twine, lasts, and manufactures of 
iron and dye-wood : total amount, 
the year ending April 1, 1S37, 
$351,160. 

Mancliester, N. II., 

Hillsborough co.,lies on the east 
side of Merrimack river, by which 
it is bounded on the W. for S miles ; 
on the N. and E. it is bounded by 
Chester, S. by Londonderry and 
Litchtield. There are several 
streams which have their origin in 
this town, and which discharge 
themselves into the Merrimack. — 
Cohass brook, issuing from Massa- 
besick pond, is the largest. It re- 
ceives two other small streams fi-oin 
the S., and empties itself at the S. 
W. angle of the town. Massabe- 
sick is a large pond, at the E. side 
of the town, and partly within its 
limits. There are several smaller 
ponds. 

The soil of a considerable part of 
the town is light and sandy. The 
intervales on the river are easy of 
cultivation, and productive. 

The canal by Amoskeag falls is 
in this town, and was projected and 
constructed by the ingenuity and 
perseverance of the late Samuel 
Blodget, Esq. At these falls ai-e the 
works of the Amoskeag Manufac- 
turing Company, where the founda- 
tions of another Lowell are being 
laid. The water power is im- 
mense. 

This town was fnrmp(i of a nart 



of Londonderry, a part of Chester, 
and a tract of land called Harry- 
town, and incorporated Sept. 3, 
1751, by the name of IJerryfield. 
This name it retained until 1810, 
when it was changed to Manches- 
ter, by an act of the legislature. 

The venerable general John 
Stark had Iiis residence in this 
town, where he died May 8, 1822, 
at the great age of 93 years 8 months 
and 24 days. He was born at 
Londonderry, August 28, 1728 ; 
was taken prisoner by the Indians, 
while hunting near Baker's river, 
in Rumney, April 28, 1752. In 
1775, he was appointed a colonel of 
one of the three regiments raised 
in New Hampshire ; was engaged 
on the heights of Charlestown, June 
17, 1775 ; was at the battle of Tren- 
ton, in 1776 ; captured Col. Baum 
and 1,000 of the British at Benning- 
ton, August 16j 1777. This event, 
in the language of president Jeffer- 
son, was " the first link in the chain 
of successes which issued in the 
surrender of Saratoga." He was 
soon after appointed a brigadier- 
general of the United States army, 
and, at the time of his death, was 
the only surviving American gen- 
eial ollicerof the revolution. Pop- 
ulation, 1830, 8S7. 

MaiicUester, Vt. 

Bennington co. One of the 
county towns. Situated between 
the Green mountains on the E.,and 
Equinox mountain on the W. The 
latter is 3,706 feet above the sea. 
There are two neat villages in this 
valley ; the county buildings are 
in the south village. The scene- 
ry here is very beautiful. The 
town is watered by the Battenkill 
and its branches, and aflbrds good 
mill sites. The soil along the wa- 
ter courses is good, but the princi- 
pal part of the town is better for 
grazing than tillage. Here are 
large quarries of beautiful marble, 
some manufactures, a curious cav- 
ern, and about 6,000 sheep. Man- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



Chester lies 22 miles N. by E. from 
Bennington, and about 40 W. from 
Bellows Falls, across the moun- 
tains. First settled, 1764. Popu- 
lation, 1830, 1,525. 

Dlanchester, Mass. 

Essex CO. This is a flourishing 
fishing town on Massachusetts bay, 
26 miles N. E. from Boston, and 5 
S. W. from (iloucester. It was 
taken fi-om Salem in 1645. Popu- 
lation, 1837, 1,346. There are a 
number of vessels belonging to the 
town employed in the fishing and 
coasting business. The value of 
th« fishery, the year ending April 
1, 1837, amounted to $12,800. The 
value of the articles manufactur- 
ed was $90,473. Those articles 
consisted of vessels, boots, shoes, 
leather, chairs, cabinet ware, palm- 
leaf hats, and ships' wheels. The 
village is very pleasant, and com- 
mands fine pi'ospects. Although 
Manchester is a rocky, rough 
township, it can boast a rare native 
production in this climate, — the 
magnolia, a beautiful flowering 
tree. 

Manchester, Ct. 

Hartford co. An important man- 
ufacturing town on the Hockanum, 
a valuable mill stream, 10 miles E. 
from Hartford. The first cotton 
mill in this state was built here in 
1794. Thei-e are three pleasant 
villages, six or seven paper mills, 
two powder mills, woolen and other 
manufactures. The face of the 
town is uneven, but the soil, a sandy 
and gravelly loam, is quite produc- 
tive. It was called Orfonl, a par- 
ish in East Hartford, until its incor- 
poration, in 1823. Population, 
1830, 1,576. 

Manbegln Island, Me. 

This island lies off IMuscongus 

bay, Lincoln county. There is a 

light-house on it, the tower of which 

is 30 feet high. It bears S. from 

20* 



the mouth of St. George's river, 
about 12 miles. 

Mansfield, Vt. 

Lamoille co. There is some 
good land in this town, on Brown's 
river and the branches of Water- 
bury river, but in general it is too 
mountainous even for grazing. It 
lies 20 miles N. W. from Montpe- 
lier, 20 E. by N. from Burlington, 
and 13 S. W. from Hyde Park.— 
Population, 1830, 279. First set- 
tled, 1799. 

Mansfield Mountains extend 
through the town of Mansfield from 
N. to S. They belong to the Green 
mountain range, and the nose and 
chin, so called, from their resem- 
blance to the face of a man lying 
on his back, exhibits some of the 
loftiest summits in the state. The 
nose is 3,933 feet above tide water ; 
the chin, 4,279. 

Mansfield, Mass. 

Bristol CO. This town lies 26 
miles S. S. W. from Boston, 18 N. 
E. from Providence, and UN. N. 
AV. from Taunton. It was taken 
from Norton in 1770, and is watered 
by several branches of Taunton riv- 
er. The soil is thin and the sur- 
face level. Population, 1837,1,444. 
There are 6 cotton and 1 woolen 
mills in the town, and 2 nail facto- 
ries. The manufactures consist of 
cotton and woolen goods, nails, 
straw bonnets, palm-leaf hats, and 
baskets : total annual amount, about 
$110,000. 

A mine of anthracite coal was 
discovered in this town a few years 
since, near the Boston and Provi- 
dence rail road, which promises to 
be of inestimable value to the com- 
munity. It was discovered in dig- 
ging a well. An incorporated com- 
pany has purchased the right of 
mining on that and .several adjoin- 
ing farms. They sunk a shaft which 
struck a vein five feet in thickness, 
at the depth of 20 feet, ruuning N. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



E. and S.W., and dipping to the N. 
W. 52°. The shaft was continued 
44 feet further, to another vein, 
which exceeded 5feet in thickness, 
and which afforded coal of a better 
quality than that found above. — 
Subsequent operations have shown 
that the veins are numerous, and 
the quantity inexhaustible. The 
coal is of an excellent quality, more 
easily broken than the Pennsylvani- 
an, and has less polish on its surface. 

Mansfield, Ct. 

Tolland co. Mansfield, the In- 
dian JVaiobesetuck , was taken from 
Windham in 1703. It lies 27 miles 
E. from Hartford, 12 S. E. from Tol- 
land, and 19 N. N. W. from Nor- 
wich. Population, 1830, 2,661.— 
The face of the town is uneven, and 
some of the hills have considcral)le 
elevation. The town is watered by 
Willimantic river, and the Nat- 
chaug and its tributaries — Mount 
Hope and Fenton. 

A larger quantity of silk is man- 
ufactured here than in any otlier 
place in the United States. This 
branch of industry was introduced 
into the country by Dr. Aspinwall, 
of this place, above seventy years 
since, who established the raising 
of silk worms in New Haven, Long 
Island and Philadelphia. At this pe- 
riod half an ounce of mulberry seed 
was sent to every parish in Con- 
necticut, and the legislature for a 
time offered a bounty on mulberry 
trees and raw silk : 265 lbs. wore 
raised in 1793, and the quantity has 
been increasing ever since. In 
1830, 3,200 lbs. were raised. Two 
small silk factories have been es- 
tablished in this town by an English 
manufacturer, with swifts for wind- 
ing hard silk ; 32 spindles for doub- 
ling ; seven dozens of spindles for 
throwing; 32 spindles for soft silk 
winding ; and 2 broad and one fringe 
silk looms. There is macliinery 
enough to keep 30 broad silk looms 
and fifty hands in operation. There 



are in the town two cotton factories. 
Screw augers and steelyards are 
manufactured here. 

Marbleliead, Mass. 

Essex CO. This is a noted fishing 
town, on a rocky point of land ex- 
tending into Massachusetts bay, 
with a hardy and intrepid crew of 
fishermen and sailors. The harbor 
is commodious and easy of access. 
The quantity of fish exported fi'om 
this place in 1794 amounted to 
$184,532. Since that lime the fish- 
ing business has greatly increased, 
and this place has now become one 
of the largest fishing ports on the 
American coast. There belong to 
this place from 90 to 100 sail of 
fishing, coasting and merchant ves- 
sels. Tonnage of the district, in 
1S37, 10,037. First settled, 1631. 
Incorporated, 1649. Population, 
1837, 5,.549. It lies 14 miles N. E. 
from Boston, and 4 S. E. fiom Sa- 
lem. The value of the cod and 
mackerel fishery the year ending 
April 1, 1837, was $153,487; em- 
ploying 500 hands. The manufac- 
tures of Alarblehead, the same 
year, amounted to ,$398,565. The 
articles manufactured consisted of 
boots, shoes, bar iron, chairs, cabi- 
net and tin wares, vessels, soap, 
glue, cards and wheels. This is a 
romantic place ; nearly allied to its 
neighbor, Nahant ; — only 6 miles 
across the bay. 

Margalla'way River, N. H., 

Has its source among the high- 
lands which separate Maine from 
Lower Canada, in the N. E. ex- 
tremity of New Hampshire, about 
80 miles N. from Errol. After a S. 
course of nearly 20 miles on the 
western border of Maine, it enters 
New Hampshire at the S. E. part 
of the 2d grant to Dartmouth col- 
lege, where it forms a junction with 
the united streams of Dead and 
Diamond rivers. Thence, after a S. 
course of about 6 miles to Errol, it 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



receives the waters of Umbagog 
Jake. After this junction the main 
stream is the Androscoggin river. 

Mariaville, Hie. 

Hancock co. This is a townsnip 
of good land, tinely located on the 
E. side of Union river, 8 miles N. by 
E. from Ellsworth, and 89 E. N. E. 
from Augusta. This town has an 
extensive water power and many 
saw mills. It was incorporated in 
1836. Population, 1S37, 257. 

Klariou, Die. 

Washington co. This township 
is bounded E. by Edmonds, and S. 
by Whiting. Population, 245. — 
Incorporated, 1S34. See " Down 
East." 

Marlborougli, IV. II., 

Cheshire co., is bounded N. by 
Roxbury, E. by Dublin and .laffrcy, 
S. by Troy, W. by Swanzey and 
part of Keene. It is 6 miles S. E. 
from Keene, and 55 S. W. from 
Concord. There are several ponds 
which are the sources of some of 
the branches of Ashuelot river. — 
The soil is rocky, but good for graz- 
ing. Marlborough was granted, 
1751. The tirst settlement com- 
menced about 1760. Incorporated 
Dec. 13, 1776. Population, in 1830, 
822. 

UlarlborougK. Vt. 

Windham co. First settled, 1763. 
It lies 8 miles S. fiom Nevvfane, 
and 2t E. from Bennington. Pop- 
ulation, 1330, 1,218. Mrs. Whitte- 
more, the wife of one of the first 
settlers, spent the winter of 1764-5 
in this then wilderness, alone, her 
husband being absent in the pursuit 
of his calling, as a tinker. During 
this winter she saw no human be- 
ing, except her little daughter and 
.some hunters who happened acci- 
dentally to pass that way. She cut 
down timber and furni'^hed browse 
for their cattle, and thus kept them 
alive throu2;h the winter. Mrs. W. 



was very useful to the settlers, both 
as a nurse and a midwife. She pos- 
sessed a vigorous constitution, and 
frequently travelled through the 
woods upon snow shoes from one 
part of the town to another, both by 
night and day, to relieve the dis- 
tressed. She lived to the age of 87 
years, officiated as midwife at more 
than 2,000 births, and never lost a 
patient. 

The town is well watered by the 
W. branch of West river. Whet- 
stone brook, and Green river. It 
has a good soil, and is very produc- 
tive in wheat, rye, and other grain, 
fruit and potatoes. Here is a pleas- 
ant village, several tine trout ponds, 
various kinds of minerals and me- 
dicinal springs. Marlborough suf- 
fered some by the Indians, and did 
much for the cause of independ- 
ence. 

Marlljox'ougli, Mass. 

Middlesex co. This is a large 
farming town, with a soil of great 
fertility and undulating surface. — 
The inhabitants are principally de- 
voted to agricultural pursuits, and 
by their industry and skill, have ac- 
quired a great degree of independ- 
ence. Among the productions of 
the town, are fat cattle, pork, fruit, 
and all the varieties of the dairy ; a 
large amount of which is annually 
sent to Boston market. A branch 
of Concord river, and a number of 
beautiful ponds, water the town. — 
The manufactures consist of boots, 
shoes, straw bonnets, leather, chairs 
and cabinet ware : annual amount, 
about i$75,000. Marlborough, the 
Indian Ohamakamesit, was first 
settled in 165 4. It was taken from 
Sudbury in 1660 ; it suffered much 
during the Indian wars, and was 
for many years the residence of a 
number of Indians who had em- 
braced the christian religion. The 
villages are very pleasant : the 
richness of the soil, and surround- 
ing scenery ; its excellent roads and 
convenient access to Boston by the 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



rail road, renders Marlborough a 
desirable residence. It is 2S miles 
W. from Boston, 14 S. \V. from Con- 
cord, and 16 E. from Worcester. — 
Population, 1837, 2,089. 

Marlborovigli Ct. 

Hartford co. Marlborough was 
taken from three towns which be- 
longed to three different counties, 
in 1803. It lies 14 miles S. E. 
from Hartford. The sui-face of the 
town is hilly and stony, and the 
lands best adapted for grazing. It 
has a cotton factory, a bed of black 
lead, and a good fish pond. Dark 
holloiv, in the western part of the 
town, presents some wild scenery 
of more terror than beauty. Pop- 
ulation, 1830, 704. 

Marlow, N. H. 

Cheshire co. It is 15 miles N. 
fi'om Keene, and 45 W. by S. from 
Concord. Ashuelot river passes 
through almost the whole length of 
the town. There are no ponds of 
note, nor any mountains. Marlow 
was chartered, 1761. Population, 
1830, 645. 

Mai-sUfield, Vt. 

Washington co. This town, con- 
taining 23,040 acres, was granted 
to the Stockbrid^e Indians in 1782, 
and sold by them to Isaac Marsh, 
in 1789, for £140. A part of the 
soil is good and a part wet and stony. 
The town produces considerable 
wool, and some cattle are reared 
for market. It has a pleasant pond, 
and Onion river passes through it. 
It lies 12 miles N. E. from Mont- 
pelier. First settled, 1790. Pop- 
ulation, 1830, 1,271. 

Marslifield, Mass. 

Plymouth co. A pleasant town 
on Massachusetts bay, 25 miles S. 
E. from Boston, and 15 N. by W. 
from Plymouth. It is watered by 
North and South rivers, has a toler- 
able harbor, and some navigation. 
Ship building is an important branch 



of business in the town. Here are 
two cotton mills, an air and cupola 
furnace, a nail factory, and manu- 
factures of cotton and satinet warp. 
Peregrine White, the first Eng- 
lish child born in New England, 
died here in 1704, aged 83. Incor- 
porated, 1640. Population, 1837, 
1,660. 

Mars Hill, Me. 

This celebrated mountain is situ- 
ated about a mile west from the east 
boundary of the United States ; — 
200 miles N. N. E. from Augusta, 
and 80 N. W. from Frederickton, 
New Brunswick. 

The British Queen seems desir- 
ous of annexing this portion of the 
territory of the United States to 
her wide and fair possessions. This 
notion of the pretty maiden is alto- 
gether preposterous : when she has 
maturely considered the treaty made 
by her grandfather and the United 
States, at Pai-is, in 1783, we trust 
her good sense will deter her from 
urging the claim. 

The approach to this mountain is 
diificult : its sides are rugged, and 
its summit bold. It has two spurs ; 
one of which is 1,50G, the other 
1,363 feet above the waters of 
Goosequill river, in New Bruns- 
wick. 

Marshpee, Mass. 

Barnstable co. An ancient In- 
dian territory, and an incorporated 
district of 10,500 acres, or about 16 
square miles. It lies 12 miles S. 
E. from Barnstable, 8 S. S. E. from 
Sandwich, and 8 E. from Falmouth. 
It is bounded on the S. by the ocean. 
There are 350 colored inhabitants 
on this territory, and some whites. 
There now remain only seven in- 
habitants, of pure blood of the tlUh- 
ers of the forest. Their land is 
good for grain of all sorts, and is 
well wooded. The territory is pleas- 
ant, and some parts of it afford beau- 
tiful scenery. The Marshpee and 
Quashmet are considerable streams. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



which, with niiinerous ponds and 
the ocean, afTord an abundant suj)- 
ply of tish ol" various kinds. These 
people live by agricultural pursuits, 
the manufacture of various articles 
of Indian ware, by the sale of their 
wood, and by lishing, fowlin^i, and 
taking deer. They are docile and 
hospitable ; they appear to i-elish 
moral and religious instruction ; aud, 
under the superintendence of a hu- 
mane and intelligent commissioner, 
appointed by the state, they are 
prosperous aii<l happy. This is the 
largest remnant of all the tribes of 
red men west of Penobscot river, 
who, 218 years ago, were fee sim- 
ple proprietors of the whole terri- 
tory of New England! 

Mai-tUa*s Vineyard, Klass. 

The principal of a cluster of isl- 
ands.lying ofl' and S. of Barnstable 
county and Buzzard's baj-, compris- 
ing the towns of Edgarton, Tisbu- 
ry and Chilmark. See Dukes 
county. 

THaaoii, X. H. 

Hillsborouaih co. It is 15 miles 
S. W. from Amherst. 43 S. S. W. 



from Concord, and 50 N. W. from 
Boston. The surface is uneven; 
the hills are cbietly large swells, 
with narrow valleys between them. 
The streams are rapid. Tliere are 
no natuial ponds. The principal 
meadows were formerly beaver 
ponds. Souhegan is the principal 
stream, atibi-ding many line mill 
seats. The small streams run into 
Nashua river, and into Tanapus, or 
Potanipo pond, in Brookline. The 
soil in the E. part is rather light. 
The W.part is mostly a strong deep 
soil, red or dark loam, hut stony. 
It is good for grass and grain. In 
Mason village, on the Souhegan, 
are cotton and w^oolen manufacto- 
ries, and other machinery. Mason 
was granted by charter, Aug. 26, 
ITOS. It was formerly known by 
the name of J\'o. 1. The first ef- 
fort to settle this place was in 1751, 
and the next yeai- a permanent set- 
tlement was made by Enoch Law- 
rence, from Pepperell, Mass. Pop- 
ulation, in ISoO, 1,433. 

DIassabesick Fond, y. H. 

See Chester, 



NEW ENGLAND CiAZETTEEPv. 



P 








lk_.. 



MASSACHUSETTS. 

This ancient commonwealtli, the mother of New England colonies, of 
free states, and of American liberty, was tirst permanently settled by 
Europeans, at Plymouth, on the 22d of December, 1620. 

The history of this state is deeply interesting; it is interwoven with 
every political and moral event of important occurrence in the settle- 
ment and progress of tlie whole of North America, which preceded or 
was connected with the revolution of 1775. 

The name of this state probably arose from the name of a tribe of In- 
dians formerly at Barnstable ; or from two Indian words — J\Ios and We- 
tuset ; the former signifying an Indian arrow'' s head, the latter, Hill. 
It is stated that the Sachem who governed in this region about the time 
of the landing of our forefathers, lived on a hill in the form of an Indian 
arrow's head, a few miles south of Boston, and was called by the Indians 
— Mosivetuset. 

Massachusetts is bounded cast, southeast, and south by the Atlantic 
ocean. It has, exclusive of the island counties of Dukes and Nantuck- 
et, a sea-coast of about 250 miles. It is bounded south and west by the 
state of Rhode Island, about 68 miles ; south by the state of Connecticut, 
87 miles ; west by the state of New York, 50 miles ; north by the state of 
Vermont, 42 miles ; and north by the state of New Hampshire, 87 miles. 
It lies between 41° 31', and 42° 53' N. lat., and 69° 48', and 73° 17' W. Ion. 
from Greenwich. Its area is about 7,800 square miles, or 4,992,000 acre?. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 

The state comprises 14 counlies, to wit: Barnstable, Berkshire, Bris- 
tol, Dukes, Essex, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, Middlesex, Norfolk, 
Nantucket, Plymouth, Suffolk, and Worcester. 

The legislative power of this State is vested in a Senate and House of 
Representatives. The Senate consists of 40 members, and are chosen 
by districts. 

The executive power is vested in a Governor, Lieutenant Governor, 
and a Council of 9 merabei-s. The Council is elected b y the joint ballot 
of the Senators and Representatives, from the Senators; and in case the 
Council thus elected or any of them <lccline, the deficiency is supplied 
from among the people. 

By the Constitution as amended in 1S37, each town or cily, having 300 
ratable polls, at the last preceding decennial census of polls, may elect 
one representative ; and for every 450 ratable polls, in addition to the 
lirst 300, one representative more. 

Any town having less than 300 ratable polls, shall be represented 
thus : — The whole number of ratable polls, at the last preceiling valua- 
tion census of polls, shall be multiplied by 10, and the product divided by 
300, and such town may elect one representative, as many years within 
ten years, as 300 is contained in the product aforesaid. 

Any city or town, having ratable polls enough to elect one or more 
representatives, with anj- number of polls beyond the necessary number, 
may he represented as to that surplus number, by multiplying such sur- 
plus number by 10, and dividing the product by 450 ; and such city or 
town may elect one additional representative, as many years within the 
ten years, as 450 is contained in the pxoduct aforesaid. 



Representation. 

JS'titnber of Representatives to which each town is entitled forlO incurs, 
from 1837, according to the Constitution, as amended in 1837. 



The column in the following table marked tenths, shows how many years in 10 
tlie respective towns are entitled to an additional Representative. 



Tou-n.i. 


1 

1 
1 

1 

I 
I 


2 1 

1 
7 

1 

8 

4-1 


ToLims. 


^ 
1 




Tovms. 


1 
1 


4 
8 
7 
3 
7 
V, 
3 
6 


Baknstabi.e. 
Barnstable, 
Brewster, 
Cliathani, 
Dentii.?, 
Eastliam, 
Falmouth, 
Harwich, 
Orleans. 


rrovincotowii, 

Sandwich, 

Truro 

VVellfloet, 

Yarmouth, 

Rfukshire. 

Adams, 


1 

14 


8 
4 
4 
fi 
8 

81 

r. 


Alford, 

Beckcl, 

Cheshire, 

{^arksburgh, 

Dalton, 

I'trromont, 

Florida, 

(!. Harrington, 

Haiirock, 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



Towns. 


«j 


^ 


Toiom. 


a! 


1 


Towns. 


^ 
fc 


-c 




B, 


s 




4j 


g 






J 




^ 


S 




ii 


^. 




^ 


e~ 


Hinsdale, 




7 


Danvers, 


3 


5 


Chester, 


1 


1 


Lanesborough, 


1 




F,ssex, 


1 


1 


Granville, 


1 


2 


Lee, 


1 


5 


Georgetown, 






Holland, 




4 


Lenox, 


1 




Gloucester, 


C 




Longmeadow, 


1 




M't. Washington, 




3 


Hamilton, 




C 


Ludlow, 




9 


New Ashford, 




2 


Haverhill, 


3 


4 


Monson, 


1 


3 


New Marlboro' 


1 


1 


Ipswich, 







Montgomery, 




4 


Otis, 




9 


Lynn, 


(3 


2 


Palmer, 


1 


3 


Peru, 




6 


Lynnfield, 




5 


Russell, 




5 


Pittsneld, 


2 


4 


Alanchester, 


1 


2 


Southwick, 


1 


1 


Richmond, 




7 


Marblehead, 


3 


5 


Springfield, 


5 


7 


Sandisfield, 


1 


2 


Methuen, 


1 


9 


Tolland, 




5 


Savoy, 




7 


Middleton, 




6 


Wales, 




6 


Sheffield, 


1 


6 


Newbury, 


2 


4 


Westfield, 


2 


1 


Stockbridge, 


1 


5 


Nevvburyport, 


3 


9 


W. Springfield, 


2 


2 


Tyringham, 


1 




Rowley, 


o 




Wilbraham, 


T 


6 


VVashington, 




6 


Salem, 


8 


5 




— 





W. Stockbridge, 


1 


1 


Salisbury, 


1 


9 




18 


60 


Williamstown, 


1 


4 


Saugus, 


1 










Windsor, 




7 


Topsfield, 


1 




Hampshire. 








— 


' 


Wenham, 




7 


Amherst, 


1 


7 




16 


134 


West Newbury, 


1 


3 


Belchertowii, 


1 


8 


Bristol. 








— 


-^ 


Chesterfield, 




7 


Attleborough, 


2 


1 




53 


lie 


Cummington, 


1 




Berkley, 




8 


Franklin. 






Easthampton, 




6 


Dartmouth, 


2 


4 


Ashfield, 


1 


3 


Enfield, 


1 




Dighton, 


1 




Bernardston, 




7 


Goshen, 




S 


Easton, 


1 


5 


Buckland, 




8 


Granby, 




8 


Fairhaven, 


2 


6 


Charleniont, 




9 


Greenwich, 




7 


Fall River, 


5 


6 


Coleraine, 


1 


4 


Hadlev, 


1 


4 


Freetown, 


1 


4 


Conway, 


1 


1 


Hatfield. 




8 


Mansfield, 


1 




Ueerfield, 


1 


4 


Middlefield, 




6 


New Bedford, 


9 




Frving, 






Northampton, 


2 


4 


Norton, 


1 


2 


Gill, 




5 


Norwich, 




b 


Fawtucket, 


1 


5 


Greenfield, 


1 


3 


Pelham, 




7 


Raynham, 


1 


2 


Hawley, 




9 


Plainfield, 




7 


Rehoboth, 


1 


5 


Heath, 




6 


Prescott, 




6 


Seekonk, 


1 


6 


Leverett, 




7 


S. Hadley. 


1 


1 


Somerset, 




9 


Leyden, 




5 


Southampton, 


1 




Swanzey, 


1 


2 


Monroe, 




1 


VVare, 


1 


fi 


Taunton, 


4 


9 


Montague, 


1 




Westhampton, 




7 


Westport, 


1 


8 


New Salem, 


1 




Williamsburgh, 


1 






— 





Northfield, 


I 


2 


Worthington, 




9 




33 


81 


Orange, 


1 


2 




— 


— 


Dukes. 






Rovve, 




6 




11 


117 


Chilmark, 




7 


Shelburne, 




8 








F.dgartown, 


1 


4 


Shutesbury, 




7 


Middlesex. 






Tisbury, 


1 


1 


Sunderland, 




7 


Acton, 




y 










Warwick, 




8 


Ashby, 


1 






2 


12 


Wendell, 




7 


Bedford, 




8 


Essex. 






Whately, 




9 


Billerica, 


1 


1 


Amesbury, 


1 


8 




— 





Boxborough, 




3 


Andover, 


3 


2 




9 


128 


Brighton, 


1 


2 


Beverly, 


3 




fr\MrDEN. 






Burlington, 




6 


Boxtbrd, 




R 


Blanford, 


I 


1 


Cambridge, 


5 




Bradford, 


I 


6 


Briiuiield, 


_1_ 


1 


Carlisle, 




It 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



Tuirn.f. 


£ 

=- 


t>( 


Towns. 






ToiKiu;. 






Charlestown, 


(1 


3 


Milton, 


1 




Berlin, 




6 


Clieliiisrord, 




4 


Needham, 


1 


1 


iBolton, 






Concord, 




4 


Quincy, 


2 


5' 


Boylston, 




7 


Dracut, 




3 


Randolph, 


2 


3 


Brooktield, 




9 


Dunstable, 




6 


Roxbury, 


5 




Charlton, 




3 


Framinj^ham, 




9 


Sharon, 




9 


Dana, 




5 


Groton, 




5 


Stoughton, 


1 


6 


Douglas, 




3 


Holliston, 




5 


Walpole, 


1 


2 


Dudley, 




2 


Hopkinton, 




7 


Weymouth, 


2 


4 


Fitchburgh, 




9 


Lexington, 




3 


Wrentham, 


1 


8 


Gardner, 




1 


Lincoln, 




6 




— 


— 


Gral'ton, 


2 


1 


Littleton, 




8 




28 


91 


Hardwick, 




2 


Lowell, 












Harvard, 




2 


Maiden, 




9 


1 Nantucket. 






Holden, 




3 


Marlborough, 




6 


iJVantucket, 


6 




Hubbardston, 




4 


Medford, 




7 




— 


— 


Lancaster, 




3 


\atick. 








G 




Leicester, 




6 


Xewton, 




2 


Plymouth. 






Leominster, 




4 


Pepperell, 




4 


Abington, 


2 


o 


Lunenburgh, 




9 


Rcadinsr. 




8 


Bridgewater, 


1 


Gi 


Mendon, 




5 


Sherburne, 






iCarver, 




'jkMilthrd,' 




3 


Shirley, 




8 


Duxbury, 


2 




Millbury, 




8 


South Reading, 




3 


E. Brid'gewater, 


1 


6 


.\ew Braintree, 




7 


Stonchani, 






Halifax, 




7 


Norlhborough, 




9 


Stow, 






Hanover, 


1 


l;jMortiibridge, 




1 


Sudburv, 




I 


Hanson, 




8||i\. Brooktield, 




3 


Tewksbury, 




7 


Hingham, 


o 


4! Oakham, 




9 


Townsend, 




£ 


Hull, 




11 


Oxford, 




7 


Tynjsborough, 




8 


Kingston, 


1 


1 


Paxton, 




6 


Waltliam, 




6 


Marshlield, 


1 




Petersham, 




3 


Watcrtown, 


1 4| 


Middleborough, 


3 


~\ 


I'hillipston, 




S 


Way land, 




7 


N. Bridgewater, 


1 


8 


I'rincc'on, 






W. Cambridge, 




2 


Pembroke, 


1 




RoyaJston, 




2 


Wcstford, 






Plymouth, 


3 


s 


Rutland, 






Weston, 






Plympton, 




7 


Shrewsbury, 




3 


Wilmington, 




7 


Rochester, 


2 


3 


Southborough, 






Woburn, 


2 


1 


Scituate, 


2 


C< 


Southbridge, 




4 




— 





VVareham, 


1 


7 


Spencer, 




2 




52 


is-i 


W. Bridgewater, 





(i 


Sterling, 
Sturbridge, 




2 
5 


JVORFOLK. 








24 


93 


Sutton, 




8 


Bellingham, 


1 










Templeton, 




4 


Braintrec, 


1 


8 


Suffolk. 






Upton, 




2 


Hrookline, 


1 




Boston, 


5G 


G 


Lxbridge, 




7 


Canton, 


1 


7 


Chelsea, 


1 


6 


Warren, 






Cohasset, 


1 






— 


' 


Webster, 




9 


Dedham, 


'2 


G 




57 


11 


Westborough, 




3 


Dorchester, 


'2 


7 








W. Boylston, 




1 


Dover, 




4 


WORCKSTER. 






Westminster, 




3 


Foxborough, 


1 


1 


Asljbunihain, 


I 


<! 


Winchcndon, 




3 


Franklin, 


1 


3 


Athol, 


1 


2 


Worcester. 


5 


2 


Mcdlicld, 




■; 


Auburn, 


1 


6 




— 




Medw.iy, 


I 


•^ 


Barre, 


1 


u 




b-1 


228 



The whole number of towns in the state may send 376 Representatives every 
year, without counting the fractions. The fractions give an ar.nual increase, 
*n an average of 10 years of 133 and9-10ths j making the average Dumber of 
Representatives for the next 10 years, 508 9-l(Jths. 

21 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 

The Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Senators, and Representatives, 
are chosen annually by the people, on the 2(i Monday of November, and 
meet at Boston on the 1st Wednesday of January. 

The Judiciary power is vested in a Supreme Court, a Court of Com- 
mon Pleas, and such other courts as the Legislature may, from time to 
time, establish. The Judges are appointed by the Governor and Coun- 
cil, and hold their offices during good behavior. 

Succession of Governors. 

John Hancock, 1780 — 17S1. James Bowdoin, 1785, 1786. John 
Hancock, 1787 — 1793. Samuel Adams, 1794 — 1796. Increase Sumner, 
1797—1799. Caleb Strong, 1800, 1806. James Sullivan, 1807, 1308. 
Christopher Gore, 1809. Elbridge Gerry, 1810, 1811. Caleb Strong, 
1812—1815. John Brooks, 1816—1822. William Eustis, 1823, 1824. 
Levi Lincoln, 182.5—1833. John Davis, 1834, 1835. Edward Everett, 
1835— 

Succession of Chief Justices of the Supreme Judi'^ial Court. 

William Gushing, 1776—1789. Nathaniel Peaslee Sargent, 1789— 
1791. Francis Dana, 1791-1806. Theophilus Parsons, 1806—1814. 
Samuel Sewall, 1814. Isaac Parker, 1814—1830. Lemuel Shaw, 
1830— 

The foundation of a school fund was laid by legislative enactment, in 
1834, by appropriating "all moneys remaining in the treasury on the 1st 
daj' of January, 1835, arising from the sale of public lands, and from pay- 
ments made to this commonwealth by the United States, on account of the 
claim for military services and disbursements during the late war, to- 
gether with one half of all future proceeds of the sales of public lands, 
as a permanent fund for the encouragement and support of common 
schools, which fund is never to exceed one million of dollars." 

A trigonometrical and astronomical survey of the state, by order of the 
general court, for the purpose of a new map, was commenced in 1830, 
and will £oon be completed. Surveys of the mineralogy, botany, zoolo- 
gy, and agriculture of the state have been commenced ; some favorable 
reports have been made, and the researches of scientific men are con- 
tinued, and promise great public usefulness. 

The surface of the state ia generally undulating. The most level 
parts are found in the counties of Plymouth, Barnstable, and Bristol. 
The Green and Taughkannic ranges of mountains pass through the west- 
ern counties, but in few places are they remarkable for their elevation. 

The soil of the state is well adapted to the growth of all the grasses, 
grains, fruits and vegetables common to a temperate climate. In no part 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 

of our country is agriculture more honored, or better understood and re- 
warded. 

The resources of Massachusetts in its commerce, navigation, manufac- 
tures and fisheries are immense: they are stated under the counties and 
towns, and will be given summarily, with other statistics of New Eng- 
land, in the Register. 

Altliough Massachusetts cannot boast of her navigable rivers and ca- 
nals, to facilitate the commerce of her capital ; yet she can boast of the 
most beautiful bay on the map of the western world ; of her noble 
streams for water power; of her luxuriant vales, of her granite hills, of 
lier ships, and the material for building them ; and of her gallant sailors 
who traverse every sea, and who well understand the uses of the hook, 
harpoon and cannon. 



Itlassachusetts Bay. 

The whole of this bay is within 
the limits of Massachusetts. The 
exterior bounds of this celebrated 
bay arc Capes Cod and Ann. The 
former is in N. lat. 42° 6', and W. 
long. 70° T. The latter in N. lat. 
42° 45', and W. Ion. 70° 17'. Cape 
Ann bears from Cape Cod, N. N. 
W., about 40 miles. 

The length of this bay is about 
C2 miles, flora N. W. to S. E. : its 
breadth is about 2.5 miles. Numer- 
ous bays and rivers of various sizes 
set in from this bay, and its whole 
coast is lined with commodious 
harbors, and pleasant commercial 
towns. 

This bay is noted for its delight- 
ful scenery, and as containing the 
first settlements of the Pilgrim 
Fathers of New England. 

Mata^vamkeag River, Me. 

This is one of the most important 
tributaries to the Penobscot. It 
unites with that river at the Indian 
township from the E., about 60 miles 
N. by E. above Bangor. 

Jrntaicamkcag Plantation, on 
this river, lies 128 miles N. E. lion) 
Augusta. 

niatiuicns Islands, Me. 

A cluster of islands at the en- 



trance of Penobscot bay. The 
principal, or IVIarshalTs island, is a 
plantation attached to the county of 
Hancock. The light on Matinicus 
bears about S. by E. from Thomas- 
ton, 15 miles. 

Maxfield, Me. 

Penobscot co. This town was 
incorporated in 1824. It is water- 
ed by Piscataquis river and Seboois 
stream. It lies 111 miles N. N. W. 
from Augusta, and 25 E. by N. 
from Dover. Population, 1837, 215. 
Wheat crop, same year, 1,. 304 bush- 
els. 

Mayfield, Me. 

Somerset co. On the E. side of 
Kennebec river and about 10 miles 
from it. It is 58 miles N. from 
Augusta, and about 2!) N. by E. 
from Noriidgewock. Incorporated, 
183t). Population, 1837, 224. 

Mcdfield, Mass. 

Norfolk CO. This town is water- 
ed by Charles and Stop rivers. It 
is 17 miles S. S. W. from Boston, 
and 8 S. by W. from Dedham. 

During the year ending April 1, 
1837, there were manufactured at 
Medfiekl, 124,000 straw bonnets, 
the value of which was $135,000. 
There are also manufactures of 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



boots, shoes, leather, cutlery, and 
brushes. Medlield was taken from 
Dedham, in 1651. 

During king Philip's war, in 
1765, the town was burnt, and ma- 
ny of the inhabitants murdered by 
the Nari-agansets. Philip rode on 
an elegant horse, and directed the 
massacre. Population, 1837, 899. 

Medford, Mass. 

Middlesex co. This beautiful 
town is situated at the head of nav- 
igation on Mystic river, 5 miles N. 
W. from Boston, and 14 E.by S. from 
Concord. The Boston and Lowell 
rail-road, and Middlesex canal pass 
through the town. The finest ships 
that float on the ocean, are built 
here : during the five years preced- 
ing April 1, 1837, sixty vessels 
were built, the tonnage of which 
was 24,195 tons: value^ $1,112,970. 
There are also manufactures of 
leather, spirits, linseed oil, bricks, 
boots, shoes, ploughs, hats and hat 
bodies. The soil of the town is 
very fertile, and in a high state of 
cultivation. The business of the 
town is much associated with ihe 
city, and many delightful country 
seats are scattered over and deco- 
rate the grounds improved as a farm 
by Governor Winthrop in 1633. 

Winter Hill, ineinorable as the 
place of encampment of General 
Burgoync and his army, after their 
capture at Saratoga, is in this town. 
It is 125 feet above tide water, and 
presents a view of great extent and 
beauty. Medford was incorporated 
in 1630. Population, 1830, 1,755; 
1837, 2,072. 

In the old burying ground, a beau- 
tiful granite monument is erected, 
bearing the following inscription : 

Sacred to the memory of 
JOHN BROOKS. 
Who was born in Medford, in the 
month ol May, 1752, and educated at 
the Town School. He took up arms 
for his country on the 19th April, 
1775. He commanded the regiment 
which first entered the enemy's lines 



at Saratoga, and served with honor to 
the close of the war. He was ap- 
pointed Marshal of the District of 
Massachusetts by President Washing- 
ton, and after fillino; several important 
civil and military offices, he was in the 
year 1816, chosen Governor of the 
"Commonwealth ; and discharged the 
duties of that station for seven suc- 
cessive years, to general acceptance. 
He was a kind and skilful physician, a 
brave and prudent officer, a wise, firm, 
and impartial magistrate, a true patri- 
ot, a good citizen, and a faithful friend. 
In manners he was a gentleman, in 
morals pure, and in profession and 
practice a consistant Christian. He 
departed this life in peace on the first of 
March, 1825, aged 73. This monu- 
ment to his honored memory was 
erected by several of his fellew citi- 
zens and friends in the year 1838. 

Medivay, Mass. 

Norfolk CO. Medway was taken 
from Medfield, in 1713. Charles 
river affords this town an excellent 
water power. There are 6 cotton, 
and 2 woolen mills in the town, 2 
cotton wadding factories, and a bell 
foundry. The manufactures of cot- 
ton and woolen goods, boots, shoes, 
scythes, chairs, cabinet ware, 
ploughs, cotton wadding, and straw 
bonnets, the year ending April 1, 
1837, amounted to $330,630. Pop- 
ulation, 1837, 2,050. Medway lies 
22 miles S. W. from Boston, and 12 
S. W. from Dedham. 

Megwiiticook Ri-ver and Pond. 

This river rises in a pond of the 
same name, in Lincolnville, Waldo 
county. The pond is about 9 miles 
in length, ciooked and very hand- 
some. It affords an excellent mill 
stream, which falls into Penobscot 
bay at Camden. 

Memphremagog I^alie, Vt. 

This lake is about 30 miles in 
length, and two or three miles in 
width. About seven miles of it lies 
in the county of Orleans, the resi- 
due in Canada. It receives the wa- 
ters of Barton, Black, Clyde and 
other smaller streams in Vermont, 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



and discharges into llie St. Francis, 
in Ciinada. On an island in tliis 
lake is a quarry of J\'ovaculite, or 
the " Mai;o!>; Oil Stone." Tiiis ma- 
terial is tran-:ported and manufac- 
tured. Sec Burke, Vt. 

Menau Islauils. 

Grand Menan belongs to the 
British, and lies of!' tl>e mouth of 
St. Croix river, and Passamaquoddy 
bay. It is 16 miles in length, and 
its average hreadth is ahout 5. On 
the south side are a number of isi- 
snds, and several small harbor.s. 
The inhabitants arc principally fish- 
ermen. 

Little Menan, or "Petit Menan," 
in Washington county, ]\Ie. lies off 
the harbors of Goldsi)orough and 
Steuben. It has a light liouse, with 
a tower 25 feet in height. It lies 
about ;5 n)iles S. S. E. from Golds- 
borough harbor. 

Meudon, Vt. 

Rutland co. This was formerly 
called Parkerstown,and lies 47 miles 
S. S. W. from Monlpelier, and S E. 
from Rutland. There is some good 
land in the town, but it is genei-ally 
too high up the Green mountains for 
cultivation. Population, 1830,432. 

Mendon, IVIass. 

Worcester co. The Indian name 
of this town was Quanshipaugc. 
It was first settled by people from 
Roxbury, al>out the year 1047. In- 
corporated, 1667. Mendon is a 
township of variegated surface, ex- 
cellent soil, and in a good state of 
cultivation. The products of the 
dairy are large and valuable. — 
Blackstone river and canal pass its 
soutliwestern border, and i\Iill rivor 
traverses its whole extent. These 
streams afford an excellent hydrau- 
lic power. There are 8 cotton and 
4 woolen mills in the town, and 
manufactures of boots, shoes, iron 
castings, scythes, ploughs, straw 
bonnets, palm-leaf hats, machinery, 
wagons and harnesses; total value, 

21* 



the year ending April 1, 1837, — 
,f 62!),2S2. This very pleasant and 
llouri-^hing town lies 32 miles S. W. 
from Jioston, 18 S. E. from Worces- 
ter, and 22 N. from Providence. 
Population, 1830, 3,153; 1837,3,657. 

fiercer, Me. 

Somerset co. Mercer has a fine 
soil, and is watered by a beautiful 
pond. It lies 32 miles N. N. W. 
iVom Augusta, and 6 S. W. from 
Norridgcwock. Incorporated, 1804. 
The village near tlie pond is beau- 
tifully located. Wheal crop, 1837, 
6,86S bushels. Population, same 
year, 1,525. 

Mereditli, IV. H., 

Strafford co., is bounded N. by 
CenU-e Harbor and Winnepisiogee 
lake, N. E. and E. by said lake and 
river, S. E. by Great bay, S. and S. 
W. by Sanbornton, W. and N. W. by 
New Hampton and Centre Harbor. 
This town was incorporated, in 
1767, and was first called J\''ew Sa- 
lem. It lies 29 miles N. from Con- 
cord, and 8 N. AV. from Gilford. 
There is in this town a pond adjoin- 
ing Centre Haj-bor, about 2 miles 
long and one wide, emptying into 
the lake, near the village; be- 
sides this there are several smaller 
jjonds. There is probably no town 
in the country more pleasantly and 
advantasjeously situated, or of a bet- 
ter soil, than Meredith. The wa- 
ters of the Winnepisiogee washing 
the boundaries of a great part of the 
town, convey many heavy mercan- 
tile articles to and from almost the 
doors of several of the inhabitants 
in the summer; and in the winter, 
the ice serves as a level and easy 
I'oad. Near the upper or N. W. 
pai't of the town, the traveler pass- 
ing along the road, is presented 
with a very beautiful landscape. On 
the E. and S. E. the placid Winne- 
pisiogee, the largest lake in New 
Ilampshli-e, with its numerous isl- 
ands, arrests the eye, and bounds 
the circle of visior\ in a S. E. di- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



rection. On the N. E., Ossipec 
mountain rises boldly to view. On 
the N., the prospect is intercepted 
by Red Hill, a pleasant and noted 
eminence in Moultonborough, only 
a few miles distant. At Meredith 
Bridge is a handsome and flourish- 
ing village, and the scat of much 
business. Here are 2 cotton mills, 
an extensive tannery, oil mill, &c., 
in another village are also some im- 
portant manufactures. The water 
power of Meredith is immense. 
It is connected with the principal 
village of Gilford by a bridge over 
the Winnepisiogee. 

Hon. Ebeivezer Smith, moved 
into this town at an earlj' period of 
its settlement, and was as a father to 
the new settlers for many years. 
He died Aug. 22, 1807, aged 73. 
Population, "in 1S30, 2,683. 

Meriden, Ct. 

New Haven co. This hilly and 
somewhat mountainous township 
has, in general, a fertile soil, and is 
watered by Quinnepiac river. It 
lies 17 miles S. E. from Hartford, 
and 17 N. W. from New Haven. 
It was formerly a part of Walling- 
ford, and incorporated in 1806. — 
Population, 1830, 1,708. 

This is one of the most flourish- 
ing and enterprising manufacturing 
towns in the state. There is a con- 
siderable variety of manufactures 
here, forming the chief employment 
of the inhabitants. The following 
is a list of the manufactories, viz : 

2 for patent augers and auger bits, 

3 for ivory combs, 6 for tin ware, 4 
for Britannia ware, 2 iron foundries, 
1 manufactory for coffee mills, 1 for 
clocks, 1 for Norfolk door latclies, 3 
for block tin spoons, 1 for wood 
combs, 1 for skates and iron rakes, 
and 1 for gridirons. The value 
of articles manufactured yearly, has 
been estimated from 800,000 to 
1,000,000 of dollars. 

About thirty years since a road 
was constructed from the north- 
western part oJ Meriden to Berlin, 



through a narrow and romantic 
glen, between two ridges of the 
Blue mountains; this pass, which 
is more than a mile in extent, is 
called the Cat Hole. In some parts 
of this glen there is but barely room 
for a path ; small angular fragments 
of rocks lise on. each side, at about 
an angle of forty five degrees: 
these rocks have been beaten down 
and covered with earth, which must 
have been brought here for the 
purpose. A few yards south of this 
place, elevated perpendicular rocks 
appear on the left, one of which has 
very much the appearance of a pro- 
file of the human face, and it is 
thought by some to i-esemble in a 
slight degree the profile of Wash- 
ington. Following the foot of the 
mountain on the right, for about a 
mile, you will find large pieces of 
rocks lying upon each other in great 
disorder, which have evidently fal- 
len from the precipitous heights 
above. Underneath these rocks ice 
may be found in almost every month 
in the year. A spring issues from 
between them, called the Cold 
Spring, and is a place of resort for 
parties in summer. 

Merrimacis River, K. H., 

One of the principal rivers of 
New England, is foi-med of two 
branches. The N. branch called 
Pemigewasset, rises near the Notch 
of the White mountains, and passes 
southwardly through the corner of 
Franconia, Lincoln, Peeling, Thorn- 
ton and Cair.pton, forming the bound- 
ary between Plymouth and Holder- 
ness, and also the boundary line be- 
tween the counties of Strafford and 
Grafton fioin the S. corner of Hol- 
dcrness to near its junction with the 
Winnepisiogee. It receives several 
considerable branches in its course; 
Mad river in Campion, Baker's in 
Plymouth ; and streams flowing 
from Squam and Newfound lakes, 
with numerous small tributaries. — 
The E. branch is the Winnepisio- 
gee, through which pass the waters 



NEW ENGLAND CAZF.TTEEU. 



of the lake of that name. The de- 
scent of this hrancli from the lake to 
its jiinctioii willi the Pciiiij;e\vassct, 
is 232 feet. The conlluent stream 
bears the name of Mei-iimack, and 
pursues a S. course, 78 miles, to 
Chelmsford, IVIass. ; thence an E. 
course, .35 miles, to the sea at New- 
huryport. On the N. line of Con- 
cord, the Contoocook discharges its 
waters into the Merrimack. The 
Soucook becomes a tributary in 
Pembroke, and the Suncook be- 
tween Pembroke and Allenstown. 
The Piscataciuop; unites in Bedford ; 
the Souheixan in Moiiimack, and a 
beautiful river called Nashua in 
Nashua. The principal tributaries 
are on the W. siilc of the river, 
mostly risine; in the highlands be- 
tween the Connecticut and Merri- 
mack. Tliere are numerous falls 
in this river, the most noted of 
which arc Garven's, in Concoi-d, 
the falls in Hooksett, and Aiiios- 
keag in (JofTstown and ^Manchester. 
These falls are all rendered passa- 
ble by locks, and boat navigation 
has for several years been extended 
as far as Concord. There are sev- 
eral bridges over the Merrimack, 
and its pi-incipal branches, besides 
a number of ferries. The Merri- 
mack, whose fountains are nearly 
on a level with the Connecticut, 
being much shorter in its course, 
has a far more rapid descent to the 
sea than the latter river. 1 Fence the 
intervales on its borders arc less ex- 
tensive, and the scenery less beau- 
tiful, than on the Connecticut. It 
is, however, a majestic river; its 
waters are generally pure and heal- 
thy ; and on its borders arc situated 
some of the most flourishing towns 
in the state. The name of this riv- 
er was originally wi-ittcn Mcrra- 
macke and Monnomake, which in 
the Indian language signified a 
stiirs;eon. Its width varies from 50 
to 120 rods ; and at its mouth it pre- 
sents a beautiful sheet of half a 
mile in width. 



BlcrrimacU County, N. H. 

Concord is the county town. 
The county of Merrimack is bound- 
ed N. E. by the county of Straf- 
ford, S. E. by the county of Rock- 
ingham, S. W. by the county of 
Hillsborough, and N. W. by the 
counties of Sullivan and Grafton. 

Its greatest length is 38 miles; 
its breadth at the broadest part is 
26 miles. It contains an area oi 
506,000 acres. The surface is un- 
even, and in some parts rugged 
and mountainous; but its general 
fertility, is perhai)s equal to either 
of the other counties in the state. 
In the towns of Ilopkinton, Henni- 
ker, Boscawen, Salisbury, Canter- 
bury, Concord, &c., are seen many 
extensive and well cultivated farms. 
The northerly part of the county is 
rough and mountainous. Kearsarge 
is the highest mountain, its summit 
being 2,461 feet above the level of 
the sea. It is composed of a range 
of hills, running north and south 
about six miles ; its general aspect 
is rugged and craggy, excepting 
when its roughness is shaded by 
the woody covering that darkens its 
sides. The Ragged mountains, so 
called, from their appearance, lie 
northeast of Kearsarijo, and be- 
tween Andover and Hill. These 
are nearly 2,000 feet high at the 
north points of the range. Bear's 
Hill, in Norlhfield, Sunapee moun- 
tain, in Newbury, Catamount, in 
Pittsfield, and the peak in Hook- 
sett, are the other most considerable 
elevations. A i)art of lake Suna- 
pee lies in Newbury ; and there 
are numerous ponds interspersed 
tliroughout the whole territory. 

The Merrimack river meanders 
through nearly the centre of the 
county, and foi-ms the boundary 
some distance at the northeastern 
part. It receives from the west the 
Blackwater and Contoocook rivers, 
and from the east, Soucook and Sun- 
cook, and other smaller streams. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



This county was constituted by 
an act of the lea,islature, 1 July, 
1S23 — being taken from the coun- 
ties of Rockingham and Hillsbo- 
borough, len towns being separated 
from tlie former, and thirteen fi-om 
the latter. Population, 1820, 32,- 
843; 1830, 34,619. Twenty four 
towns, 44 inhabitants to a squaic 
mile. In 1837, there were 66,152 
sheep in this county. 

Merrimack, ]V. II., 

Hillsborough co., is bounded N. 
by Bedford, E. by Litchfield, S. by 
Nashua, and W. by Amherst. — 
It is 6 miles S. E. fi'om Amherst, 
and 27 S. from Concord. Merii- 
mack river waters its E. border 
through its whole extent, opening 
a communication by water from 
this place to Boston. Souhegan en- 
ters tliis town from Amherst, pur- 
sues a winding course to the Mer- 
rimack, where it dischai-ges itself 
one mile above Thornton's ferry. 
There are fine water piivileges on 
this stream. Babboosuck brook, 
issuing from Babboosuck pond in 
Amherst, empties into Souhegan 
river, and Penicliook brook from a 
pond in Hollis, forms the soutiiern 
boundary. The soil in various pla- 
ces is very fertile, but a considera- 
ble portion of the land is plain. 
There are some fine intervales on 
the Merrimack. Some of the best 
and most extensive water privileges 
the county affords, about 1 1-2 mile 
from the Merrimack, on Souhegan 
river, lie unimproved. 

This town claims the first discove- 
ry in this region of making what 
are called leghorn bonnets. They 
were first made several years since, 
by the Misses Burnaps. Some of 
their bonnets were sold at auction 
in Boston for $50. 

This town was formerly called 
Souhegan East. It was incorjjo- 
rated, 1746, having been settled 
about 13 years. 

The first house in this town was 
erected on the margin of the river 



for a house of traffic with the In- 
dian=;. F'or some time one Crom- 
well caiuied on a lucrative trade 
with the Indians, weighing tlieir 
furs with his foot, till, enraged at 
his supposed or real deception, 
they formed the resolution to mur- 
der him. This intention was com- 
municateil to Ciomwell, who buried 
his wealth and made his escape. 
Within a few hours alter his flight, 
a party of the Peiiacook tribe arriv- 
ed, and not finding the object of 
their resentment, they burnt his 
habitation. 

Hon. Matthew Thornton, 
one of the signers of the Declara- 
tion of American Independence, 
resided many years in this town. 
He died in 1303, at the age of 89. 
Populaiion, 1S30, 1,191. 

MciTymeetiiig Bays. 

Merrymeeting Bay, in Maine, is 
at the junction of the Androscoggin 
with the Kennebec, about 5 miles 
above Bath. It is a large expanse 
of water, and contains Swan and 
other islands. The passage through 
this bay, of 10 or 12 miles in length, 
is delightful. 

Mtrrymeeling Bay, in New 
Hampshire, is an arm of Winne- 
pisiogee lake, extending about 1,SOO 
rods into the town of Alton, and is 
27 miles from the navigable waters 
of Piscataqua river. 

Melliiicn, Mass. 

Essex CO. In this town is a beau- 
tiful water fall of 30 feet, on Spick- 
et river, which furnishes an excel- 
lent hydraulic power. Methuen 
lies on the N. bank of Merrimack 
river, and is 25 miles N. by W. from 
Boston, and 20 N. W. by N. from 
Salem. It was tivken from Haver- 
hill in 1725. Population, 1830, 
2,011 ; 1837, 2,463. There are 2 
cotton, and 2 paper mills in the 
town, and manufactures of leather, 
shoes, hats, ploughs, segars, essen- 
ces, chaises, harnesses, chairs, tin 
and cabinet wares, and piano-forte 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



frames: value, for the year ending 
April 1, 1S37, $4(>2,525. An ex- 
cellent bed of peat has recently 
been discovered. It is 1-1 feet in 
depth, and very extensive. The 
soil of Methucn is very good, the 
village is pleasant, and the scenery 
around it, romantic and beautiful. 

Mexico, Me. 

Oxford CO. This town lies on the 
north side of Androscoggin river, 
and is watered by two of its tribu- 
taries. It has a good soil and a good 
water power. It lies 17 miles W. 
N. W. from Augusta, and 20 N. 
from Paris. Incoi-porated, ISIS. 
Population, 1337, 147. Wheat crop, 
same year, 1,552 bushels. 

Middleboroiigli, Mass. 

Plymouth co. This is the Indian 
J\''amasket ; formerly thickly popu- 
lated by the people of that tribe, 
and governed by the noted sachem 
Tispacan. On the rocks, in this 
town, are the prints of naked hands 
and feet, supposed to be the work 
of the Indians. Here are numer- 
ous ponds, several kinds of tish,and 
large quantities cf iron ore is found 
in the ponds. These ponds, of which 
the Asfiawamset and Long pond aie 
the largest, empty into Taunton 
river, and produce an extensive wa- 
ter power. 

This town lies 34 miles S. by E. 
from Boston, 14 S. S. W. from Ply- 
mouth, and 10 S. E. from Taunton. 
Incorporated, 1660. I'opulation, 
1837, 5,005. Thi< is probably the 
largest town in the state : it is 15 
miles in length, and about 9 aver- 
age breadth : it has several pleasant 
villages. There are 2 cotton mills, 
2 forges, an air and cujiola furnace, 
a nail factory, and manufactures of 
leather, shovels, spades, forks, 
ploughs, wrought nails, chairs, cab- 
inet ware, tacks, straw bonnets, and 
various other articles: total value, 
in one year, $200,000. 

In 1763, Shubael Thompson found 
a land turtle, marked on the shell 



J. W., 1747. Thomi).son marked it 
and let it go. I->lijal> Chipp found 
it in 1773; William Shaw found it 
in 1775; Jonathan Soule found it in 
17S1; Joscpli Soule found it in 1790, 
and Zenas Smith, in 1791 : each 
mai-ked it with his initials. Wheth- 
er the critter is <lead or gone to the 
west, we have no account. 

Midtlleljury, Vt. 

Addison co. Chief town. This is 
a large and flourishing town on both 
sides of Otter creek, 31 miles S. W. 
from Monlpelicr, and 33 S. S. E. 
iVom Burlington. The fathers of 
this town were Col. John Chipman 
and the Hon. Gamaliel Painter, who 
came here and settled in 1773. The 
settlement advanced but slowly un- 
til after the revolutionary war; it 
then began to increase and is now 
one of the most important towns in 
the state. In 1791 it became the 
shire town of the county, and in 
ISOO Middlebury college was found- 
ed. The surface of the town is 
generally level. Cbipman's hill, 
439 feet above Otter creek, is the 
highest elevation. The soil is fer- 
tile and productive, and furnishes 
large quantities of wool, beef, pork, 
butter and cheese. The town is 
admirably watered by Otter creek 
and iMiddlebury river. At the falls 
on Otter creek, the site of the flour- 
ishing village, are extensive manu- 
facturing establishments ; and large 
quantities of white and variega- 
ted marble, with which the town 
abounds, are sawed and polished 
for various uses and transported to 
market. Middlebury is a very 
beautiful town, and the mart of a 
large inland trade. Population, in 
1830, 3,468. See Register. 

Middlehiiry River rises in Han- 
cock, and passing through Ripton 
falls info Otter creek at Middlebury. 
This mountain stream is about 14 
miles in length, affords a fine wa- 
ter power, and is very romantic in 
its course. It passes some distance 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



along the road from Windsor to 
Vergennes, and presents some de- 
lightful scenery. 

Midtlleljiiry, Ct. 

New Haven co. The surface of 
this town is hilly and rocky; the 
soil a coarse, gravelly loam, lit for 
grazing and the growth of rye. It 
lies 36 miles W. S. W. from Hart- 
ford, and 22 N. W. from New Ha- 
ven. Incorporated, 1807. Popu- 
lation, 1830, 81(3. The town is 
watered by Quasepaugpond, which 
empties into the Ilousatonick, and 
furnishes a water power for a satin- 
et factory, and other machinery. 

Bliddlefield, Mass. 

Hampshire co. This is an eleva- 
ted agricultural township, watered 
by a branch of Westfield liver. It 
lies 110 miles W. from Boston, 24 
W. from Northampton, and 17 S. E. 
from Pittsliekl. Incorporated, 1783. 
Population, 1837, 710. There are 
2 woolen mills in the town, and 2 
tanneries. Annual value of goods 
manufactured, about $75,000. — 
Among the productions of the soil, 
there were, in 1837, 9,724 fleeces 
of saxony wool, which weighed 
26,741 pounds, value, ^17,382. 

Middlesex, Vt. 

Washington co. Onion river and 
other streams give this town a good 
water power. It has numerous 
manufacturing concerns, and a very 
pleasant village. The soil along 
the streams is good, and that of the 
uplands, generally, is adapted for 
grazing. It lies 30 miles E. S. E. 
from Burlington, and is bounded by 
Montpelier on the S. E. First set- 
tled, in 1781. Population, 1830, 
1,156. 

There is a curious chasm in Mid- 
dlesex, on Onion river, near More- 
town. The river has worn a pas- 
sage through rocks 30 feet in depth, 
60 feet in width, and about SO rods 
in length. The walls on each side 
are very smooth,over which a bridge 



is thrown. This place is worthy of 
a visit. 

Middlesex County, Mass. 

Concord, Cambridge, and Low- 
ell, are the shire towns. The sur- 
face of this county is uneven and 
the soil various. It presents a great 
variety for the admiration of the 
patriot, scholar, farmer, mechanic, 
and the painter. It is bounded N. 
by New Hampshire; N. E. by the 
county of Essex ; S. E. by Charles 
river, Boston harbor, and Norfolk 
county; and W. by the county of 
Worcester. Area, 800 square miles: 
population, in 1820,01,476; 1830, 
77,968 ; 1837, 98,56.5. Population 
to a square mile, 123. The princi- 
pal rivers in this county, are the 
Merrimack, Charles, Mystic, Sud- 
bury, Concord, and Nashua. The 
Middlesex Canal passes through 
its northeastern section. In 1837 
there were 5,166 sheep in the coun- 
ty. The value of manufactures for 
the year ending April 1, 1837, 
amounted to $15,008,028. Fishery, 
same year, $33,000. 

Middlesex Cownty, Ct. 

Shire towns — Middletoion and 
Haddam. This county is bounded 
N. by Hartford county, E. by Hart- 
ford and New London counties, S. 
by Long Island Sound, and W. by 
New Haven county. The general 
surface of the county is uneven. 
The soil is generally good, particu- 
lai-ly aiijacent to Connecticut liver. 
There ai-e many small streams 
which afford mill privileges, fertil- 
izing the soil and giving beauty to 
the county. The waters of the 
Connecticut aftbrd it an important 
business in navigation, especially 
in the coasting trade. The tonnage 
of the district of Middlctown, ia 
1837, was 13,133 tons. There are 
numerous manufacturing establish- 
ments in the county; large quanti- 
ties of freestone are quarried and car- 
ried to market, and the shad fishery 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEEH. 



gives emplo3-ment to many of its 
people. 

Middlesex county contains an 
area of 342 square miles. Popula- 
tion, 1S20, 22,40.5; 1830, 24,843, 
containing a population of 73 in- 
habitants to a square mile. Con- 
siderable amounts of the productions 
of the soil are exported, and in 
1837, there were iu the county 
12,401 sheep. 

Middlelou, N. H. 

Strafford co. This is a very lev- 
el township, having no high ground 
except a part of Moose mountain, 
which separates it from Brookticld. 
There are no rivers nor ponds, and 
the soil is rocky. It lies 25 miles 
N. W. from Dover. Middleton was 
incorporated in 1773. Population, 
1830, 5l>2. 

Middleton, Mass. 

Essex CO. A pleasaut town on 
hoth sides of Ipswich river, 19 miles 
N. from Boston, and 7 N. W. from 
Salem. This place contains a large 
and expensive paper mill. This is 
the principal manufacturing con- 
cern in the town. Incorporated, 
172S. Population, 1S37, 671. 

:niiddletown, Vt. 

Rutland co. This town lies be- 
tween two mountains, is watered 
by Poultney river, and has a good 
soil for grazing. It keeps, among 
other cattle, about 4,000 sheep. It 
lies 14 miles S. W. from Rutland. 
It has a neat and flourishing vil- 
lage, a woolen factory, marble fac- 
tory, and other manufactures. — 
Population, 1830, 919. 

UliddlctoAvu, Ct. 

Chief town of Middlesex co. — 
MiDDLETOWN City, and port of 
entry, lies on the W. bank of Con- 
necticut river, 30 miles from its 
mouth, 1,5 S. from Hartford, 21 N. 
E. from New Haven, 35 N. W. 
from New London. Lat. 41° 34' 
N., long. 72' 39' \V. The city is 



very pleasantly situated on ground 
rising giaduaily from the river. 
The j)riiicipal street, called Jifain 
street, runs parallel with the river. 
This and otlier streets, are inter- 
sected by cross streets, leading to 
the river. 

The wharves are commodious for 
shipping, there being ten feet of 
water for all vessels that can cross 
the bar at the mouth of the river. 

Two high wharves are appropria- 
ted for two lines of steam-boats, of a 
large class, which afford a daily com- 
munication with the cities of New 
York and Hartford. 

The streets and side-walks are 
pleasantly shaded with trees, and 
the side-walks are remarkably well 
paved. 

The population of the city, is 
about 3,500 ; of the town, above 
7,000. 

The public edifices are a court- 
house in the Grecian style of arch- 
itecttire, built in 1832; a custom- 
house handsomely built of Chatham 
freestone ; 2 banks, and a savings 
bank, fcc. The places of public 
worship in the city, and the princi- 
pal houses and stores are of brick, 
many of which arc built with great 
taste. 

The Wesleyan Uiviversity, 
under the patronage of the Metho- 
dist Episcopal church, was founded 
in 1831, and is very rapidly acquir- 
ing a high standing. It has now 
1()0 stuiients. Its officers are a 
president and 5 professors. 

The college buildings command 
an extensive view of the surround- 
ing country, as well as of the val- 
ley of the Connecticut, so justly 
famed for its beauty. 

The college library, with those 
belonging to the societies, comprises 
about 10,000 volumes. It has ma- 
ny rare and choice works, an entire 
set of the ].,atin Cla^sic-s, and most of 
the Greek, a set of the Piiilosophical 
Transactions, and all of the most 
important later scientiiic worka of 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



France. There is also a collection 
of bibles and testaments in 81 lan- 
guages and dialects, oriental, &.C., 
into which the bible has been trans- 
lated. 

The philosophical and astronomi- 
cal apparatus, has been lately in- 
creased at great expense. There 
is a telescope, with a six inch oljject 
glass, a splendid altitude and Azi- 
muth instrument, so constructed as 
to be used for meridian transits. 
Russell's magniiicent Orrery, an 
unrivalled instrument, and the only 
one of the kind. There is a noble 
Plate Electrical machine, with two 
plates 36 inches in diameter, &c. 

The chemical department has a 
good laboratory and apparatus. — 
The cabinet of minerals is becom- 
ing extensive. In geology, besides 
specimens, there are several valu- 
able charts to ilhistrate the ditfercnt 
states, and many districts of Eng- 
land. 

In botany, there are several of the 
best standard works, and for the 
preservation of the science, tlie 
richness in species of the native 
plants about Middletown, is not 
surpassed by any location in New 
England. The place is also remai-k- 
able for the variety and abundance 
of its rare minerals. 

The rising reputation of its uni- 
versity, the great salubrity of its 
atmosphere, and the activity of its 
manufacturing capital, render Mid- 
dletown equally attractive to the 
traveler, the man of science, or of 
business. There are besides in this 
city, several fine cabinets of shells, 
insects, minerals, &,c., and an Her- 
barium of considerable extent, of 
North American as well as of Eu- 
ropean plants, also several choice 
private libraries. 

The library of the Rev. Dr. Jar- 
vis, contains 13,000 volumes of ex- 
ceeding choice books, collected by 
him, during a residence of sev- 
eral years in Europe, and his gal- 
lery of about 120 paintings, is re- 
garded as being very valuable. — 



About 70 of these pictures formed 
the gallery of the Archbishop of 
Tarento at Naples, and are of the 
old masters — Titian, Rubens, Tin- 
toretto, Salvator Rosa, Carlo Dolce, 
Lueca, Giordano, Jordens, Spagno- 
letto, &c. There is also in another 
collection some very fine paintings 
of the old masters, and an exqui- 
site piece of statuary by the Cheva- 
lier P. Marchesi of Milan, repre- 
senting Christ when 12 years of 
age ! This is the only work of the 
distinguished sculptor, that has yet 
arrived in this counti'y. 

The township fiom N. to S. is 
about 9 miles long, its breadth va- 
rying from 4 to 10 miles at its great- 
est aiea, or about 43,520 acres. — 
The Indian name of the town was 
Mattabesett. The town is divided 
into 4 societies or parishes. 

There is in the city a prepara- 
tory school connected with the uni- 
versity, as well as several flourish- 
ing private schools. 

The public record? of this town 
commenced in 1654. The city was 
incorporated in 1784. 

The burial grounds contain many 
curious, as well as antique monu- 
ments of its earliest settlers. 

The burial ground at the N. part 
of the city, and by the river, was 
laid out in 1650. 

Middletown meadows, north of the 
city, contain about 640 acres. The 
height of the base of the village is 
160 feet above the river, and is 
from it, five eighths of a mile. Main 
street is from 40 to 50 feet above the 
river. 

The Connecticut river is here 
geneially closed with ice about the 
middle of December, and opens 
about the end of the third week in 
March. 

The manufactures in this city, 
are 3 establishments on a large 
scale for the manufacture of arms, 
for the United States service ; 
broadcloths and cotton goods, brit- 
annia and tin wares, stoves, combs, 
tubs, machinery, steam engines. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER 



cotton machinery, paper, powder, 
jewelry, brass ware, steel pens, 
buttons, looking-glasses, carriages, 
carpenter's tools and locks, besides 
many manufactures of minor im- 
portance. 

Geology. Middletown rests on 
secondary red sandstone : within 2 
miles of the city, south, there is a 
granite ridge, here known by the 
name of the White rocks. It runs 
N. N. E., and forms tlie straits of 
the Connecticut river. This granite 
ridge is from 400 to GOO feet above 
the tide water. Here occurs an in- 
exhaustible quantity of the finest 
feldspar, the material used for the 
glaze of porcelain. This was first 
brought into notice in 1S33, at the 
recommendation of Dr. Barrett. A 
large quantity of it has been sent to 
Europe, as well as being used in 
this country, and it has been proved 
to be of the best quality. 

The feldspar is often so pure at 
the quarry opened on the Haddam 
road, that masses of several hun- 
dred weight occur without any ad- 
mixture of quartz and mica. 

Middletown, R. I. 

Newport co. This is the middle 
township on the island of Rhode 
Island. It lies 2 miles N. E. from 
Newport, and 28 S. bj^ E. fiom 
Providence. The surface of the 
town is undulating, and aflbrds ma- 
ny interesting and beautiful land- 
scapes. The soil is a rich loam, 
very productive and under a high 
state of cultivation ; the lands are 
highly valued and command a great 
price. The inhabitants of the town 
are principally farmers; they are 
distinguished for their habits of in- 
dustry and economy, and for tlie 
unitbrmity, plainness, and simplici- 
ty of their manner of living. The 
products of the town consist of 
corn, barley, hay, and great varie- 
ties of fruits and vegetables for 
Newport market. Incorporated, 
1743. Population, 1830,915. 



MUoii, ST. H., 

Coos CO., is 139 miles N. by E. 
from Concord, and about 22 N. E. 
from Lancaster. This tract was 
granted in 1771, and was called 
Pauhburgh,m\ii\ 1824. The Up- 
per Amonoosuck and Androscoggin 
rivers pass through this town. — 
There are several ponds, and some 
considerable mountains. Popula- 
tion, 1830, 57. 

Milford, Me. 

Penobscot county. See " Down 
East." 

MUford, N. H., 

Hillsborough co., is bounded E. 
by Amherst, and is 31 miles S. by 
W. from Concord. Milford lies on 
both sides of Souhegan river, which 
runs through the town from W. to 
E., forming a rich meadow or inter- 
vale, from 1-4 to 1-2 a mile wide. 
The banks of this river are annual- 
ly overtlowed, by which means, 
the soil, which is black and deep, is 
much enriched. This town has ex- 
cellent water privileges, and there 
is a valuable factory in the village. 
Population, 1S30, 1,303. 

Milf»i'd, Mass. 

Worcester co. This town, the 
Indian TVopotcai^e, is well watered 
by Charles and Mill rivers. It lies 
28milesS.W. byW.from Boston, and 
18 S. E. from Worcester. Incorpoi-a- 
ted, 1780. Population, 1S37, 1,637. 
The soil is generally fertile, and 
the surface pleasantly diversified. 
The manufactures of the town, for 
the year ending April 1, 1837, 
amounted to $257,671. They con- 
sisted of cotton goods, leather, boots, 
shoes, chairs, tin and cabinet wares, 
straw bonnets, varnish, clothing, 
shoe pegs, wagon irons, and whips. 

Milford, Ct. 

New Haven co. This is one of 
the towns which composed the 
" Old Jurisdiction of New Haven." 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



The settlement commenced in 1639. 
The first purchase of land was made 
of the Indians, for the considera- 
tion of " 6 coats, 10 blankets, 1 
kettle, besides a number of hoes, 
knives, hatchets, and glasses." The 
Indians made a reservation of 20 
acres in the town, which was sold 
by them, in 1661, for 6 coats, 2 
blankets, and a pair of breeches. 

Milford is bounded W. by Housa- 
tonick river, and S. E. by Long 
Island Sound. The Indian name 
of the place was Wepaivaug. The 
town is generally level, and the 
soil productive. There is a quarry 
of beautiful serpentine marble in 
the town, and a harbor for small 
vessels. 

Poconock or Milford point is a 
noted place, where are a number of 
huts on the beach, occupied by 
persons engaged in the oyster and 
clam business. 

Milford village is very pleasant, 
and the scenery variegated and in- 
teresting. Population, 1837, about 
2,800. 

Millbury, Mass. 

Worcester co. Millbury was 
taken from Sutton, in 1813. It lies 
42 miles W. S. W. from Boston, 
and 6 S.E. fi-om Worcester. Branch- 
es of the Blackstone river rise in 
the town, and the Blackstone canal 
passes through it. It is a very 
pleasant manufacturing place, with 
a valuable water power. There 
are 1 paper, 6 woolen, and 1 cotton 
mills ; and manufactures of boots, 
shoes, leather, hats, scythes, spades, 
forks, hoes, ploughs, muskets, trying 
squares, levels, trowels, machinery, 
black lead, tin ware, sashes and 
blinds: total value, the year ending 
April 1, 1837, $566,150. Popula'^ 
tion, 1837, 2,153. 

Miller's Rivers. 

Miller'' s River, in Vermont, rises 
in Sheffield, Caledonia county, and 
passing through a part of Wheelock 



f.ills into the Passumpsick at Lyn- 
don. 

Miller's River, in Massachusetts, 
rises in ponds in Ashburnham, 
and Winchendon ; it has many trib- 
utaries, and passes through Athol, 
Orange, and Wendell, and falls into 
the Connecticut at Erving. This 
is a noble mill stream. 

Milliuoket Lake, Me. 

This is a large body of water in 
the county of Penobscot, the re- 
cipient of many rivers. It is an 
important source of the west branch 
of Penobscot river. Its outlet is a 
river of the same name, and unites 
with the waters of Pemadumcook 
lake, near the Great falls at the out- 
let of the Pemadumcook. 

Mill River, Mass. 

See Springfield. 

Millsfieltl, N. H., 

Coos CO., is 7 miles W. from Um- 
bagog lake, and about 35 N.from the 
White mountains. Clear stream 
waters its N. extremity, and Phil- 
lip's river with several small 
streams the other parts. Here are 
several ponds, the largest is about 
300 rods long, 140 wide. Millsfield 
was granted in 1774, and was nam- 
ed after Sir Thomas Mills, a gran- 
tee. It had but 33 inhabitants in 
1830. 

Milo, Me. 

Piscataquis co. This is a beau- 
tiful township on the fertile banks 
of Sebec and Pleasant rivers, at 
their union with the Piscataquis. 
It lies 103 miles N. E. from Augus- 
ta, and 15 N. E. from Dover. Pop- 
ulation, 1830, 381 ; 1837, 640.— 
Wheat crop, 1837, 4,514 bushels. 
Incorporated, 1823. 

Milton, Me. 

Piscataquis co. Population, 1837, 
352. Wheat crop, same year, 1,323 



NEW ENGLAXD GAZETTEER, 



bushels. 94 miles from Augusta. 
See " Down East." 

MUton, N. II. 

Strafford co. The Salmon Fall 
river washes its whole E. bounda- 
ry, a distance of 13 miles ; and a 
brancii of the same river crosses 
from the S. part of Wakefield, and 
unites near the centre of tlic E. 
boundary. Teneriffc, a bold and 
rocky uiountain, extends along the 
E. part of Milton, near which lies 
Milton pond, of considerable size, 
connecting with the Salmon Fall 
river. This town was formerly a 
part of Rochester, from which it 
was detached in 1802. It lies 40 
miles N. E. fi-om Concord, and 20 
N. \V. by N. from Dover. Popu- 
lation, 1830, 1,273. 

Milton, Vt. 

Chittenden co. Milton is bound- 
ed on the W. by lake Champlain, 
and is finely watered by the rivei- 
Lamoille. It lies 12 miles N. from 
Burlin£;ton, and 40 N. W. from 
Montpelier. Population, 18.30, 2,- 
100. The soil of tlie town is gen- 
erally good, and about 9,000 sheep 
graze in its pastures. There are 
some places in Milton worthy of the 
traveller's notice. A little distance 
from the neat and nourishing vil- 
lage are the Great falls, on the La- 
moille. In the course of 50 rods 
the whole river falls 150 feet. — 
About the middle of the rapid is a 
small island, by which the water 
passes on each side, with great vi- 
olence and loud roai'ing. The scen- 
ery on the banks of the river is 
wild and beautiful. There are 
some mills on the river, and consid- 
erable trade on the lake. 

Milton, Mass. 

Norfolk CO. This interesting and 
pleasant town, the Uncataquinsit 
of the Indians, lies 7 miles S. from 
Boston, and 6 E. from Dedhara. 
Neponset river washes its northern 
border and alfords numerous valua- 



ble mill sites. Tliis town was taken 
from Dorchester, in 1662. Popu- 
lation, 1837, 1,772. A large part of 
the land is a gravelly loam, strong 
and very productive. The manu- 
factures consist of paper, granite, 
leather, hats, chairs, cabinet ware, 
I)laying cards, &.c. : total annual 
amoun't, about .f 100,000. The man- 
ufacture of paper from beach grass 
has recently been commenced, and 
promises to be a good substitute for 
rags, for the more common kinds. 

The village called the " Mills," 
comprising a part of Dorchester, at 
the head of navigation, on the Ne- 
ponset, is a wild, romantic place, 
and ever since the first settlement 
of the country, has been the seat of 
considerable trade and manufacture. 

The village at the rail-road, near 
the granite quarry, in Quincy, 
about a mile S. E. of the " Mills," 
is very pleasant and flourishing. — 
By a new and beautiful bridge, 
called the " Granite bridge," across 
the Neponset, the distance to the 
city is reduced to 6 miles. 

Milton contains some elegant 
country seats, and much delightful 
scenery. The views from " Milton 
Hill," near the head of the Ne- 
ponset ; and " Blue Hill," a cele- 
brated land mark for sailors, 710 
feet above the sea, in the south part 
of the town, 12 miles fi'om Boston, 
are among the most admired in our 
country. 

Minot, Me. 

Cumberland co. Minot is a large 
and excellent township of land with 
three very pleasant villages. The 
Androscoggin passes its eastern bor- 
der and Little Androscoggin sepa- 
rates it from Poland, on the S. This 
is one of the most flourishing towns 
in the state. Although agriculture 
is the chief business of the people of 
Minot, yet its water powei' is so val- 
uable, that manufactures of various 
kinds are springing up with promis- 
ing success. Minot is connected 
with Lcwiston, across the Andros- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



coggin, by a bridge. It lies 3.3 
miles S. W. from Augusta, and 3.5 
N. from Portland. Population, in 
1830, 2,908 ; 1837, 3,326. Incor- 
porated, 1802. Wheat crop, 1837, 
7,266 bushels. 

Missisque River, Vt. 

This crooked river is about 75 
miles in length. It rises in Orleans 
county, and passes N. into Canada, 
about 5 miles ; it then returns to 
the state at the N. E. corner of 
Franklin county, and after mean- 
dering througli the north part of 
that county, it falls into Missisque 
hay at Highgate. There are sev-, 
eral falls on this river, which afford 
numerous mill sites ; but it is gen- 
erally sluggish in its course, and 
being wide, is rather shallow. Its 
waters fertilize a large portion of 
country, and it is navigable for small 
vessels, six miles from its mouth. 

MolccUunkaiuuuIi. Liakc, Me. 

This is one of a number of large 
lakes extending northwest from 
Umbagog lake, and which empty 
through the Umbagog into the An- 
droscoggin. These lakes lie in the 
counties of Oxford and Franklin : 
their borders are but little settled, 
but those who have visited them 
report that the soil is exceedingly 
fertile, and that the beauties of 
these little inland seas, equal that 
of the celebrated Winnepisiogee. 
The Molechunkamunk lies about 80 
miles N. by W. from Portland. 

Molunikus River, 

A large tributary to the Ma(a- 
wamkeag from the north. It unites 
with that river about 8 miles above 
its mouth. 

Monaduock Mountain, N. H., 

Usually called the Grand Mo- 
nadnock, is situated in the towns of 
Jaffrey and Dublin, in Cheshire 
county, about 22 miles E. from Con- 
necticut river, and 10 N. of the 
southern boundary of this state. — 



The direction of the ridge is N. E. 
and S. W. The mountain is about 
5 miles long from N. to S., and 3 
miles from E. to \V. Its summit is 
3,718 feet above the level of the sea. 
Tliirty years since, Monadnock was 
neai-ly covered with evergreen 
wood of considerable growth. By 
the repeated ravages of tire, it now 
presents to the distant beholder, 
nothing but a bari'en and bald rock. 
But on ascending, we find plats of 
earth sufficient to give growth to 
the blueberry, cranbeny, mountain 
ash, and a vaiiety of shrubs. Some 
caves are discovered, which excite 
curiosity. They appear to have 
been formed by large tissures, and 
by extensive strata being thrown 
from their primitive state, and form- 
ing different angles with each other 
and with perpendicular precipices. 
The mountain is composed of talc, 
mica, slate, distinctly stratified.— 
Garnet, schorl, feldspar and quartz 
occur in vai-ious pai-ts. On the E. 
side, plumbago is found in large 
quantities. Crucibles and pencils 
have been manufactured from it, 
but for the latter, it proves not very 
good. The summit, when seen at 
a distance of 4 or 5 miles, appears 
rounded and destitute of those high 
cliffs and mural precipices belong- 
ing to granitic mountains. The 
prospect from the pinnacle is very 
extensive ; thirty ponds of fresli 
water, some of which are so large 
as to contain islands of 8 or 10 
acres, may be seen from it, in the 
immediate vicinity. Near the base 
of the mountain, in Jaffrey, is the 
" Monadnock Mineral Spring." 

Moukton, Vt. 

Addison co. This town lies 27 
miles W. from Montpelier, 16 N. 
from Middlebury, and 18 S. by E. 
from Builington. This is a good 
farming town, and the products of 
wool, cattle, and of the dairy are 
considerable. Iron ore is found in 
abundance, and a bed of porcelain 
earth. By mixing this earth with 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



common clay, in ilifTerent propor- 
tions, various kinds of pottery are 
produced. This earth is very pure, 
and it is said might he manufactur- 
ed into the best china ware. The 
bed is inexhaustible. The black 
oxide of nianganese is also found 
here. There is also a curious cav- 
ern in the town : after descending 
about Iti feet, you arrive at a room 
30 feet long, and 16 wide. From 
this is a passage leading to a second 
apartment, which is not quite so 
large, but more pleasant. Monk- 
ton is a pleasant town, 3 miles E. 
from Ferrisburgh, and is frequent- 
ly visited by the curious. Popula- 
tion, 1830, i,3Sl. 

MoumoiitU, Me. 

Kennebec co. This is a fine 
township, and beautifully watered 
by some of the sources of the Cob- 
bessecontee. It lies 1.5 miles S. 
W. from Augusta. The village is 
very pleasant, and is the seat of a 
flourishing academy. Wheat crop, 
1837, 5,2.35 bushels. Population, 
same year, 1,847. Incorporated, 
1792. 

Slouroe, Me. 

Waldo CO. This town is watered 
by Marsh river, a branch of the Pe- 
nobscot. It lies 59 miles N. E. from 
Augusta, and 14 N. from Belfast. 
Population, 1S37, 1,365. Wheat 
crop, same year, 5,897. 

Monroe, Mass. 

Franklin co. This is an elevated 
township, bounded K. by Deerfield 
river. It lies 105 miles W. N. W. 
from Boston, and 23 W. by N. from 
Greentield. Incorporated, 1822. — 
Population, 1837, 232. 

Monroe, Ct. 

Fairfield co. This town was 
taken from Huntington in 1823. 
The soil is good, and well adapted 
for grazing, but the surface is rough 
and stony. Agriculture is the prin- 
cipal business of the inhabitants. 



There are excellent orchards of va- 
rious kinds of fruit in the town, a 
pleasant village on elevated ground, 
and a classical school. It lies 15 
miles W. by N. from New Haven, 
and 12 E. by S. from Danbury. 
Population, 1S30, 1,522. 

A rich variety of mineral sub- 
stances have been discovered here. 
Among them, are tungsten, telluri- 
um, native bismouth, native silver, 
magnetical and common iron py- 
rites, copper pyrites, galena, blen- 
de, tourmaline, &,c. 

Mousou, Me. 

Piscataquis co. This town is 
watered by Piscataquis river and 
Wilson's stream. Monson compris- 
es a fine tract of land, and is settled 
by a worthy class of people. In- 
corporated, 1822. Population, in 
1837, 565. Wheat crop, same year, 
2,267 bushels. It lies 83 miles N. 
by E. from Augusta, and 20 N. W. 
from Dover. A stage runs between 
this town and Bangor, three times 
a week. Distance from Monson to 
Banuor. CO miles; to Moosehead 
lake, 15. 

Monson, Mass. 

Hampden co. Monson was tak- 
en from Brimtield in 1760. It lies 
73 miles S. W. by W. from Boston, 
and 13 E. from Springfield. Popu- 
lation, 1837, 2,179. this is a pleas- 
ant town of variegated surface, 
good soil and well watered by Chick- 
opee liver. It contains a flourish- 
ing academy. There are 3 cotton 
mills in Monson, and other manu- 
factures. The value of cotton goods 
manufactured in the year ending 
April 1, 1837, was $67,500. 

Montague, Mass. 

Franklin co. This town is on 
the E. bank of Connecticut river, 
opposite to Deerfield, and united to 
that town by a bridge. Turner's 
Falls, at the northerly part of the 
town, are more interesting than 
any in the state, and probably as 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



much so as anj' in New Enoland. 
The canal for passing these falls, 3 
miles in length and 75 feet lockage, 
with an immense dam across the 
river, greatly facilitates the naviga- 
tion on Connecticut river. This 
place has a great water power, and 
promises peculiar advantages to the 
manui'acturing interest. The scene- 
ry around this place is romantic and 
beautiful, and to the lovers of anti- 
quarian lore, full of interesting as- 
sociations. 

It lies 80 miles W. by N. from 
Boston, and 7 S. E. from Greenfield. 
Incorporated, 1753. Population, in 
1837j 1,260. 

Montgomery, Vt. 

Franklin co. This town lies in a 
mountainous country, but it has a 
valuable tract of land on Trout liv- 
er, a good mill stream, a branch of 
the Missisque. It lies 42 miles N. 
from Moutpelier, and 27 E. N. E. 
from St. Albans. First settled, in 
1793. Population, 1830, 460. 

The Rev. Joel Clappwasthe first 
child born in this town, September 
14, 17!)3. He preached the first 
fast-day sermon, the first thanks- 
giving sermon, and the first moth- 
er's funeral sermon, which were 
preached in the town. 

Montgomery, Mass. 

Hampden co. This is a moun- 
tainous township on the N. side of 
Westfield river, and has a good wa- 
ter power. It lies 100 miles W. by 
S. from Boston, and 12 N. W. from 
Springfield. Incorporated, 1780. 
Population, 1S37, 497. This is a 
good town for grazing, and it pro- 
duces considerable wool and some 
beef cattle. 

Montpelier, Vt. 

The capital of the state and shire 
town of the county of Washington. 
It lies in N. lat. 44° 17', and W. 
Ion. 72° 36'. It is 182 miles W. 
from Augusta, Me. ; 97 N. N. W. 
from Concord, N. H. ; 160 N. W. 



by N. from Boston, Mass. ; 200 N. 
by W. fioi!i Providence, R. I.; 
205 N. from Hartford, Ct. ; 148 N. 
E. from Albany N. Y. ; and 524 
miles from Washington. First set-' 
tied, in 1786. Population, 1830, 
2,985. Montpelier became the seat 
of government in 1805, and the 
shire town of the county, in 1811. 
It is finely watered by Onion river 
and by several branches of that 
stream. These streams afford a 
good water power, on which are 
manufacturing establishments of va- 
rious kinds. The surface of the 
town is very uneven and hilly, but 
not mountainous. The soil is very 
good along the streams, and the 
highlands produce excellent pas- 
turage. The agricultural products 
are various and valuajjlc. In 1837 
there were between 8,000 and 9,000 
sheep in the town. 

This township was granted Octo- 
ber 21, 1780, and chartered to Tim- 
othy Bigelow and others, August 
14, 1781, containing 23,040 acres. 
It was recharfered February 6, 
1804. In the spring of 1786, Joel 
Frizzle erected a log house on the 
bank of Onion river, in the south- 
west corner of this township, and 
moved his family into it from Cana- 
da. This was the first family in 
town. Early in the month of May, 
1787, Col. Jacob and Gen. Parley 
Davis, from Worcester county, Mass. 
began improvements near the place 
where the village now stands, and 
erected a log house, into which 
Col. Davis removed his family the 
winter following. 

The village of Montpelier is sur- 
rounded by hills of considerable el- 
evation; and although it is too low 
to command an extensive prospect, 
is very pleasant, and quite roman- 
tic in its appearance. It is located 
very near the centre of the state : 
it is a great thoroughfare from all 
directions, and commands a large 
and valuable interior trade. The 
buildings are in good style ; some 
of which are very handsome- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



We take pleasure in presenting to the public a well executed en- 
graving of the Vermont State House, at Montpelier ; designed bj' A. B. 
Young, Esq., a native of New England, and executed under his imme- 
diate superintendence. 

The engraving represents a southeast front view of the building, which 
stands on an elevated site, about 325 feet from State street, on which it 
fronts, and is alike beautiful in design and execution. The yard and 
grounds pertaining to it are large and spacious, and, in the manner they 
are laid out, give great importance to the building. Through the whole 
design, a chaste architectural character is preserved, which, combined 
with the convenient arrangement of the interior and the stability of its 
construction, renders this edifice equal in every respect to any in New 
England, and probably to any in the United Stales. The building is in 
the form of a cross, showing in front a centre, 72 feet wide, and two 
wings, each 39 feet, making the whole length 150 feet. The centre, in- 
cluding the portico, is 100 feet deep ; the wings are 50 feet deep. The 
six columns of the portico are 6 feet diameter at their base, and 36 feet 
high, supporting an entablature of classic proportions. The dome rises 
36 feet above the ridge, making the whole height from the ground 100 
feet. The order of architecture used is the Grecian Doric, and is made 
to conform to the peculiar arrangement necessary in this building. The 
walls, columns, cornices, &c., are of dark Bane granite, wrouirht in a 
superior manner: the dome and roofs are covered with copper. 

In the interior, the lower story contains an Entrance Hall, rooms for 
the Secretary of State, Treasurer, Auditor, and numerous Committee 
rooms. The second or principal story, contains a Vestibule, and stair- 
ways, a Representatives Hall, 57 by 67 feet, with a Lobby, and Galleries 
for spectators ; a Senate Chamber, 30 by 44 feet, with Lobby and Gallery ; 
a Governor's room, 24 by 20 feet, with an ante-room, and a room for his 
Secretary adjoining ; a Library room, 18 by 36 feet ; rooms for the several 
officers of the Senate and House of Representatives, and several com- 
mittee rooms. The cost of this building, including all expenses, was 
about $132,100 ; of which the inhabitants of Montpelier paid $15,000. 



At the first session of the Legislature of Vermont, within this building, 
in October, 1838, the following resolution was unanimously adopted : 

" Resolved, by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont, that 
the thanks of this Legislature be presented to Am mi B. Young, Esq., 
as a testimonial of their approbation of the taste, ability, fidelity and 
perseverance which he has manifested in the design and execution of the 
new capitol of this state ; which will abide as a lasting monument of the 
talents and taste of Mr, Young as an Architect." 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



Montville, Mc. 

Waldo CO. This is a beautiful 
and flourishing town, watered by 
some of the head branches of Sheep- 
scot river, 26 miles E. N. E. from 
Augusta, and 15 W. from Belfast. 
Incorporated, 1807. Population, in 
1830,1,243; 1837,1,987. Wheat 
crop, 1837, 8,088 bushels. 

Montville, Ct. 

New London co. Montville was 
taken from New London in 1788. ' 
The surface is hilly and stony ; the 
soil a dry, gravellj' loam, strong and 
fertile. It lies on the W. side of 
the river Thames, 35 miles S. E. 
from Hartford, 8 N. from New 
London, and 7 S. from Norwich. 
The town has a good water power 
and contains 3 cotton and 2 woolen 
factories, and an oil mill. Popula- 
tion, 1830, 1,961. 

This, and a large tract of country 
lying north and east of it, formerly 
belonged to the Mohegans, a tribe 
of Indians once celebrated for their 
warlike prowess and friendship to 
the English. In Montville is a 
tract reserved by the state, for the 
maintenance of a remnant of that 
tJ-ibe, " on the land of their fathers." 

The Mohegan reservation consists 
of about 2,700 acres. It was hold- 
en by them in common till the 
year 1790, when it was divided to 
each family by the legislature of 
Connecticut. The Mohegans are 
under the care of guardians, or over- 
seers, appointed lay the legislature. 
A part ot the lands are occupied by 
the Indians themselves, and a part 
by white tenants, of which there 
are as many as Mohegans living on 
the reservation. The rents go into 
a common fund, from which the 
Mohegans derive, individually, a 
small sum annually. 

In 1774, when a census of the in- 
habitants of Connecticut was taken, 
there were in the colony 1,363 In- 
dians. The number in the township 
of New London was stated to be 



206. Mohegan was tlien included 
in the limits of that town. At the 
same time there were in Stonington 
237; in Groton 186; in Lyme 104; 
in Norwich 61, and in Preston 30 : 
in all, 824. Most of these may be 
considered as descended fiom those 
who once owed some kind of alle- 
giance to Uncas. Di-. Holmes, who 
\ isited Mohegan in 1803, says that 
" there were not more than SO per- 
sons of lliis tribe remaining, and 
that John Cooper, the richest man 
in the tiibe, possessing a j-oke of 
oxen and two cows, was then their 
religious teacher." Four years af- 
ter, they were reduced in number 
to sixty nine, these being for the 
most part aged persons, widows, and 
fatheiless children. 

Within the course of a few years 
past, an cifort has been made to el- 
evate and rescue the remnant of 
this tribe from extinction. A small 
house for divine worship has been 
erected, and also a house for a teach- 
er ; towards erecting this last build- 
ing the United States government 
appropriated 500 dollars ; they have 
also allowed, recently, 400 dollars 
annually for the support of a teach- 
er. The school, consisting of up- 
wards of 20 scholars, at this time is 
under the care of Mr. Anson Glea- 
son, who also olficiates as a religious 
teacher at the IMohegan Chapel. 
Mr. Glcason commenced his labors 
among this people in 1832, and it is 
tirmly believed that his efTorts to 
promote the welfai-e of this people 
will be attended with lasting and 
beneficial effects. Mr. Gleason 
says, " that he can say for a certain- 
ty, that the native children are as 
apt to learn as any children he ever 
taught, and bid fair for intelligent 
men and women." He also says, 
" This tribe had well nigh run out 
by indulging in the use of ardent 
spirits ; but of late there is a change 
for the better, a number of refor- 
mations having taken place. Most 
of the youth are opposed to strong 
drink, and are members of the tern- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



perance reform. The greater part 
of the working men follow the whale 
trade, and come home only now and 
then. . . . VVe are on the increase, 
and hope in the course of a few years, 
througli the mercy of God, to lise 
in point of virtue and respectabili- 
ty." 

The Mohegan church is between 
three and four miles from Norwich 
city, a few rods east of the public 
road from Norwich to New London. 
It is beautifully situated on an em- 
inence commanding a fair view of 
Norwich at the north, and New 
London at the south. It was built 
in 1831, at an expense of between 
six and seven hundred dollars, con- 
tributed for the purpose mostly by 
benevolent ladies in the cities of 
Norwich, Hartford and Now Lon- 
don. This house is designed for the 
use of the Mohegans, and the white 
inhabitants who reside on the re- 
servation. The Slohegan school- 
house is 40 or 50 rods south of the 
chapel, at the foot of the hill, near 
by which is the house for the teach- 
er. About 100 lods west of the 
chapel, on the summit of a com- 
manding eminence, was situated a 
Mohegan fort, some traces of which 
remain ; they also had another fort 
near the river. 

" Lo ! where a sivaije forlivss frown'ii 
AmitI you blooil-ceinenii'il ground, 
A hallowed ilotne, with pnticelul claim, 
Shall bear the meek Rt'kleenier's mime; 
Ami forms like those thnt Tuii^eriti? slayeii 
Latest 'r;eaih Calvary's awOil shaile, 
And eiiilifst pierc'J ihe sritherHl gloom 
To watch the Savior's lowly toiiil) — 
Such eentle forms the Indian's ire 
Have sooth'd and bade that dome aspire. 
And now, wh.^rc rose the murderous yell. 
The timefui hymn to God shall swell- 
Where vengeance spread a futal snare, 
Shall breathe the red man's contrite prayer."' 

Moose Rivers. 

Moose river, in Maine, is a large 
tributary to Moosehoail lake. It 
rises in the western part of Somer- 
set county, and after receiving the 
waters of several large ponds in 
that quarter, it passes through Bras- 



sua lake, 4 or 5 miles W. of tlie 
Moosehead. 

Moose river, in New Hampshire, 
has its source on the N. side of the 
White Mountains, and unites with 
the Androscoggin in Shelburne. — 
Its source is very near that of Is- 
rael's river, which passes W. into 
the Connecticut. 

Moose river, in Vermont, is a 
branch of the Passumpsic ; it rises 
in (iranby and East Haven, and 
falls into that river at St. Johnsbury. 
This, in many places, is a rapid 
stream, about 25 miles in length. 

Moose Head Lake, Me. 

This lake, the outlet of which is 
the source of Kenncl)ec river, lies 
in the county of Piscataquis. Its 
form is very irregular. Its length 
is between 40 and 50 miles, and its 
breadth, in the widest part, about 
12 miles. The tributaries are nu- 
merous, and How fi-om almost every 
direction. It contains a number of 
islands, the largest of which is Su- 
gar island, containing 5,440 acres, 
and Deer island, containing 2,000 
acres. These islands are fertile, as 
is the whole country surrounding 
the lake, except in some jjlaces 
where the banks are liigh and pre- 
cipitous. The waters are deep and 
abound in trout of an extraordinary 
size. 

It is remarkable that the territory 
surrounding this inl.ind sea, possess- 
ing in rich ainindance all the ne- 
cessary requirements for the uses 
and comforts of man, and within 
three hundred miles of the capital 
of New England, should be left a 
wilderness garden, uninhabited and 
almost unexplored; while thous- 
ands of New England men are press- 
ing to distant regions, less health- 
ful, and less productive y when mar- 
kets for surplus produce are consid- 
ered. 

The only settlement, of any con- 
seciuence, on the borders of this 
beautiful lake, is Hasliell's Planta- 
tion, at the southern boundary- — 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



This place lies 15 miles N. from 
Monson, from which town stages 
pass to Bangor, 60 miles. A steam- 
boat plies up and down the lake, 
for the purpose of transporting pas- 
sengers, more particularly those 
who are engaged in felling timber; 
and for the purpose of towing the 
timber down to the Kennebec out- 
let. 

The lumber business on this lake 
is very extensive, and doubtless lu- 
crative ; but the time is not very 
distant when this and other sections 
of Maine, will be as much valued 
for the fruits of the soil ; and, under 
the wise system of geological ex- 
ploration, adopted by the legisla- 
ture, for the quarries of slate, lime, 
granite, marble, and even coal, as 
they are now for their forests of 
timber. 

This lake may be divided into 
two bays. A little above the cen- 
tre of it, is a narrow pass of rath- 
er less than a mile across. At 
this place, on the v/estern side, is 
Mount Keneo,an elevation of five or 
six hundred feet projecting over the 
water. From this height a pictur- 
esque view of the lake, its islands, 
and a boundless wilderness, is pre- 
sented. When the wind blows fresh 
from the north, the waters of the 
north bay press through this strait 
with considerable force, and cause 
the south bay to rise two or three 
feet. 

A dam has been erected at the 
outlet, for the purpose of raising 
the lake 3 or 4 feet, so as to let the 
the water off as occasion may re- 
quire, to facilitate the passage of 
lumber on the river. We hope, 
lor the benefit of our friends down 
stream, that the dam is of solid ma- 
terials and well constructed. 



Mooseliillock Moiimtaiii, N. H., 

Is a noble and lofty eminence 
in the S. E. part of Coventry, and 
ranks among the hi2;hest mountains 
in New England. The altitude of 



the north peak above tide water, is 
4,636 feet — that of the south peak, 
is 4,536 feet. Baker's river has its 
source on its eastern side. 

Mooselucknaagiintic Lalte, Me. 

A large sheet of water which 
empties into the Molechunkamunk, 
about 2 miles south. 

Moretown, Vt. 

Washington co. Mad river, a 
branch of the Onion, waters this 
town and gives it good mill seats. 
The surface is mountainous, and a 
great part of the soil unfit for culti- 
vation. First settled, 1790. Pop- 
ulation, 1S30, 816. It lies 8 miles 
S. W. from Montpelier. 
Morgan, Vt. 

Orleans co. First settled, 1800. 
It lies 50 miles N. E. from Montpe- 
lier, and 15 N. N.E. from Irasburgh. 
Population, 1830, 331. Knowlton's 
lake, a handsome sheet^ of water, 
containing a variety of fish, lies in 
this town. It is 4 miles in length, 
and 2 in breadth, and empties into 
Clyde river. 

Morristo-ivn, Vt. 

Lamoille co. This town lies 20 
miles N. by W. from Montpelier, 
and 6 S. from Hyde Park. First 
settled, 1790. Population, 1830, 
1,315. The surface of the town is 
diversified by hills and valleys; 
the soil is good, particularly on the 
banks of Lamoille river, which af- 
fords some water power. Here is 
a neat village, and considerable 
business. The people are general- 
ly farmers, and produce cattle, but- 
ter, cheese, and a large quantity of 
wool for market. 

Mosco-\v, Me. 
Somerset co. Moscow is water- 



ed by a pond, and by a beautiful 
stream, a branch of the Kennebec, 
and lies on the east side of that 
river. It is 30 miles N. from Nor- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



riilgewock, and 58 N. from Augusta. 
This town has a good soil and a 
pleasant village. It was incorpo- 
rated in 1816. Population, 1837, 
477. Wheat crop, same year, 4,273 
bushels. 

Moultonborough, IV. II., 

StrafiTord co., is situated on the N. 
W. shore of Winncpisiogee lake. 
This interesting town lies 45 miles 
N. from Concord, and 20 E. from Ply- 
mouth. This town is broken by 
mountains and ponds. Red Hill, ly- 
ing wholly within this town, com- 
mands notice from the cast, south, 
and west ; and extends about 3 
miles from £. to W., between Red 
Hill river on the N., Great Squam 
on the W., Great Squam and Long 
pond on the S., terminating S. E. 
by a neck of fine land extending 
into the Winnepisiogee. Its sum- 
mit is covered with the uvw ursi 
and low blueberi-y bush, which in 
autumn give the hill a reddish hue, 
from which circumstance its name 
was probably derived. A number 
of oval blulis rise on its summit, 
from each of which the prospect 
on either hand is extensive and de- 
lightful. The north blufl' is sup- 
posed to consist of a body of iron 
ore. Bog ore is found in a brook 
descending from this bluff. Ossi- 
pee mountain extends its base into 
this town, and is a commanding 
elevation. On the south part of 
this mountain, in Moultonborough, 
is a mineral chalybeate spring, the 
■waters strongly impregnated with 
iron and sulphur, and efficacious 
in cutaneous eruptions. About a 
mile north is a spring of pure cold 
water, 16 feet in diameter, through 
the centre of which the water, con- 
taining a small portion of fine white 
sand, is constantly thrown up to the 
height of two feet — the spring fur- 
nishing water sufficient for mills. 
On the stream nearly a mile below, 
is a beautiful waterfall of 70 feet 
perpendicular. Descending on the 
left of this fall, a cave is found, con- 

2:i 



taining charcoal and other eviden- 
ces of its having been a hiding 
l)lace for the Indians. Red Hili 
river originates in Sandwich, and 
passes through this town into the 
Winncpisiogee. Long pond is a 
beautiful sheet of water, and con- 
nects with the lake by a channel 
sixty rods in length. Squam and 
W' innepisiogee lakes lie partly in 
Moultonborough. The soil of this 
town is fruitful, though in some 
parts rocky. Moultonborough was 
granted in 17C3, to Col. Jonathan 
Moulton and others. Settlements 
commenced in 1764. 

]Many Indian implements and rel- 
ics have been found indicating this 
to have been once their favorite 
residence. In 1820, on a small isl- 
and in the Winnepisiogee, was found 
a curious gun barrel, much worn by 
age and rust, divested of its stock, 
enclosed in the body of a pitch pine 
tree 16 inches in diameter. Its butt 
rested on a flat rock, its muzzle el- 
evated about 30°. In 1819, a small 
dirk, 1 1-2 feet in length from the 
point to the end of the hilt, round 
blade, was found in a new field, one 
foot under ground, bearing strong 
marks of antiquity. 

On the line of Tuftonborough, on 
the shore of the lake, at the mouth 
of Mclvin river, a gigantic skeleton 
was found about 30 years since, bu- 
ried in a sandy soil, apparently that 
of a man more than seven feet high 
— the jaw bones easily passing over 
the face of a large man. A tumu- 
lus has been discovered on a piece 
of newly cleared land, of the length 
and appearance of a human grave, 
and handsomely rounded with 
small stones, not found in this part 
of the country; which .stones are 
too closely placed to be separated 
by stiiking an ordinary blow with 
a crow-bar, and bear marks of being 
a composition. The Ossipee tribe 
of Indians once resided in this vi- 
cinity, and some years since a tree 
was standing in Moultonborough, 
on which was carved in hieroglyph- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



ic8 the history of their expeditions. 
Population, 1830, 1,422. 

Movint Desert, Me. 

Hancock co. This town com- 
prised the whole island of the same 
name, lying between Frenchman's 
bay and the waters of Blue Hill 
bay, and Union river, until 1795, 
when the north part was set off and 
called Eden. It lies 110 miles E. 
from Augusta. Incorporated, 17S'J. 
Population, 1837, 1,783. 

This town has an extensive coast, 
and a number of excellent harbors. 
The people of Mount Desert own 
considerable navigation employed 
in the coasting trade ; and the shore 
tishery, is a lucrative branch of 
business. The soil of the town is 
good, and abundantly able to supply 
the inhabitants with bread stufls. 
In 1837, the ocean towns of Mount 
Desert and Eden, produced 674 
bushels of good wheat. We men- 
tion this fact, to show that there 
must be something, other than sea 
air, which causes that valuable 
grain to blight on the coast of Mas- 
sachusetts. 

Mount Holly, Vt. 

Rutland co.^ A plea-ant town 
lying 60 miles S. from Montpeiier, 
and 17 S. E. from Rutland. First 
settled, 1781. Population, 1830, 
1,318. The surface of the town is 
elevated, and in some parts moun- 
tainous, but the soil is well adapted 
for grazing, and produces consider- 
able quantities of wool, beef, but- 
ter, and cheese. 



Mounts HolyoUe & Tom, Mass 
See JVarihampton. 

Mount Hope, 
And Mount Hope Bay. See 
Bristol. R. I. 

Motuit Tatjor, Vt. 

Rutland co. Otter Creek ri«es in 
this town, by a branch on each side 
of a mountain. Most of the land 



is unfit for cultivation, it being so 
high on the Green mountain range. 
It lies 66 miles S. by W. from Mont- 
peiier, and 19 S. by E. from Rut- 
land. Population, 1830, 210. 

Mount Vernon, Me. 

Kennebec co. This town lies 
W. of Belgrade, E. of Vienna, and 
15 miles N. W. from Augusta. In- 
corporated, 1792. Population, 1837, 
1,503. There arc three pleasant 
villages in the town : the soil is re- 
markably good, and is watered by 
a number of beautiful ponds and 
small streams. Wheat crop, 1837, 
5,888 bushels. 

Mount Vernon, N. H., 

Hillsborough co., is 3 miles N. 
W. from Amherst, and 28 S. W. 
from Concord. There is but one 
stream of any note, and this was 
called by the Indians Quohquina- 
passakessar. magnog. The situa- 
tion is elevated, and towards the E. 
and S. E. there is a considerable 
prospect. There is a flourishing 
village situated near the highest 
point of elevation. This town was 
originally a part of Amherst, from 
which it was detached in 1803. 

Dr. Daniel, Adams, who com- 
menced and conducted the Medical 
and Agricultural Register, and is 
author of a popular system of arith- 
metic, school geography, and a 
number of useful school books, has 
his residence in tliis place. Popu- 
lation, 1830, 763. 

Mount Vi^asiiington, Mass. 

Berkshire co. This town lies in 
the S. W. corner of the state, bor- 
dering on Ct. and N. Y. It is 135 
miles W. by S. from Boston, 22 S. 
S. W. from Lenox, and 26 S. E. 
from Hudson, N. Y. Incorporated, 
1779. Population, 1837, .337. 

These people seem to enjoy a 
more elevated situation than any of 
their neighbors: one of their hills 
is 3,150 feet above the sea. They 
keep 600 sheep, and manufacture 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



about 100,000 bushels of charcoal, 
annually. A mountain stream af- 
fords them a water power for an axe 
factory and forge. These people, 
likewise, appcai- to he more inde- 
pendent of the common wants of 
mankind than other folks; for they 
have no minister, physician, law- 
yer, post office, or tavern, yet they 
are remarkably health}'; and as far 
as we can judii,'e, intcllii>cnt and 
kind. 

Muscou^iis liiver anil Bay, Me. 

Lincoln co. .^^uscongus river, 
rises in large ponds in the interior 
of the county, and on tiie border of 
Waldo county : it passes through 
Waldoborough, and separating Bic- 
men and Friendship, it forms the 
head waters of Muscongus hay. — 
This bay has a number of islands 
and lies between St. George's isl- 
ands off the town of St. George, 
on the E., and Pemmaquid point, 
in Bremen, on the W. 

Naliaut, Mass. 

This celebrated watering place, 
is a part of the beautiful town of 
Lynu. It is a peninsula, jutting 
out about 5 nulcs into IMassachu- 
setts bay, and forms Lynn bay on 
the south. From Boston to Nahant 
hotel, on the eastern point of the 
peninsula, by land, is 14 miles ; 
from the centre of Lynn, 5 ; and 
from Salem 9 miles. On the N. E. 
side of this peninsula is a beach of 
great length and smoothness. It is 
so hard that a horse's foot-steps are 
scarcely visible ; and, from half-tide 
to low water, it aflbrds a ride of su- 
perior excellence. Much may be 
said in praise of Nahant without 
exaggeration. Its fornuition, situa- 
tion, and rugged shore, excites the 
curiosity of all, and many thou- 
sands annually visit it for health, or 
pleasure. 

It is only 10 miles N. E. from 
Boston, by the steam-boats, continu- 
ally plying in summer months : at 
this place are good fishing and fowl- 



ing, excellent accommodations: the 
ocean scenery is exceedingly beau- 
tiful in fair weather, and truly sub- 
lime in a storm. 

Nautasket, Mass. 

See Hull. 

Nantucket Co. 3Iass. and Towrk. 

An island in the Atlantic ocean — 
town and county. It lies E. of 
Dukes county, and about 30 miles 
S. of Cape Cod, or Barnstable coun- 
ty. This island is about 15 miles in 
length, from east to west, and about 
4 miles average breadth. It con- 
tains 50 square miles. The town, 
formerly called Shelburne, is in 
about the centre of the island, on 
the north side, in lat. 41° 16' 42", 
W. Ion., 70° 7' 42". It is 100 miles 
S. E. by S. from Boston, 55 S. E. 
from New Bedford, 30 S. E. from 
Falmouth, and 500 from Washing- 
ton. Population, 1337, 9,048. 

Nantucket has a good harbor, 
with 7 1-2 feet of water, at low tide, 
on the bar at its mouth. This island 
was formerly well wooded, but for 
many years it has not had a single 
tree of natural growth. The soil is 
light and sandy; it however affords 
pasturage for about 7,000 sheep, 500 
cows, and other cattle. In 1(559, 
when this county was incorporated, 
the island contained 3,000 Indians, 
but now, not one. 

The whale lishery commenced 
here in 1690 ; and this place is, 
perhaps, more celebrated than 
any other, for the enterprize and 
success of its people, in that spe- 
cies of nautical aaventure. Indeed 
Nantucket is the nmther of that 
great branch of wealth in America, 
if not in the world. In the year 
ending April 1, 1837, Nantucket 
employed 74 vessels in that fishery, 
the tonnage of which was 25,875 
tons. 1,277,009 gallons of sperm 
and whale oil was imported, the 
value of which was .fl, 114,012. 
The number of hands employed, 
was 1,897. The capital invested, 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



was $2,520,000 ; this includes the 
ships and outfits only ; yet many of 
the manufactories of the place, are 
appendages of the whale fishery ; 
altogether, employing a capital of 
over five millions of dollars. There 
are manufactures on the island, of 
vessels, whale boats, bar iron, tin 
ware, boots, shoes, oil casks, and 
candle boxes. The whole amount 
of the manufactures, for that year, 
including oil and candles, was $'2,- 
524,907. Total tonnage of the dis- 
trict of Nantucket, in 1S37, 29,960 
tons. 

Great attention is paid to educa- 
tion on this island. The men are 
noted for their sedateness and daring 
spirit, and the women for their in- 
telligence and beauty. 

JVantucket Shoals is a danger- 
ous place, where many a sailor has 
found a watery grave. They lie 
S. E. from the island, and cover an 
area of about 50 by 45 miles. 

Waples, Me. 

Cumberland co. This town was 
formed from Otisfield and Raymond, 
and incorporated in 18-34. It is wa- 
tered by Sebago and Songo ponds, 
and Crooked and Muddy rivers. It 
has good mill privileges, and a pro- 
ductive soil. Population, 1837,722. 
Naples lies 63 miles W. S. W. from 
Augusta, and 27 N. N. W. from 
Portland. 

TVarraganset Bay, R. I. 

This delightful bay lies wholly 
within the limits of Rhode Island : 
its entrance extends from Point Ju- 
dith on the west, to Seaconnet 
Rocks on the east, and terminates 
at Bullock's point, about 6 miles 
below the city of Providence. The 
length of this bay is about 28 miles : 
its breadth varies from 3 to 12 miles. 
It receives the waters of the Taun- 
ton, Providence, Pawtuxet, and 
other rivers, and on its borders are 
Newport, Bristol, Warren, and oth- 
er large and flourishing towns. It 
is decked with many islands of great 



fertility and beauty ; the principal 
of which are Connanicut, Prudence, 
Patience, Block and Hope. This 
bay is near the ocean; is accessible 
at all seasons ; is well protected by 
powerful forts, and affords some of 
the best harbors in the world. The 
board of naval commissioners have 
recently reported to Congress that 
the waters of Narraganset Bay af- 
ford greater advantages for a naval 
depot, than any other unoccupied 
position on the coast of the United 
States. 

Narragiiagiis River & Bay, Me. 

Washington co. The river rises 
in several ponds in Beddington, and 
passing in a southeastern direction, 
falls into a bay of the same name, 
between Harrington and Steuben. 
The bay contains a number of isl- 
ands, between which is a good pas- 
sage into Pleasant bay, on the east 
side. 

Naslnatvii Island, Mass., 

And Nashawen-jva. See Eliz- 
abeth Islands. 

Nashua River, 

A beautiful stream on the S.part oi 
Hillsborough co. N.H. has its source 
in Worcester county, Massachu- 
setts. It is formed of two branches 
called the north and south branches. 
The north branch is formed of two 
streams, one from Ashburnham, the 
other from Wachuset ponds. The 
south brancli is composed of Stil! 
river, issuing from the E. side of 
Wachuset mountain, and a small 
stream from Quinepoxet pond in 
Holden. These branches are uni- 
ted in Lancaster, from which the 
main river proceeds in a N. E. 
course to Harvard, Shirley, Groton, 
and Pepperell in Massachusetts ; 
and from thence into New Hamp- 
shire through HolHs, and nearly 
the centre of the town of Nashua, 
where it falls into the JMerrimack 
river. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



Nashua, N. II. 

Hillsborough co. This town 
originally embraced a laroe extent 
of territory, and was called Dun- 
stable until 1S36. It lies 34 miles 
S. by E. from Concoi-d, 12 S. E. 
from Amherst, and 12 N. W. from 
Lowell. The population of Dunsta- 
ble, in 1S30, was 2,414. Population 
of Nashua, in 1836, 5,065; 1S37, 
5,G13; 1838, 5,691. 

In the N. E. part of the town, 
on Nashua river, is the flourishing 
Village of .Yashva, the centre of 
a considerable trade, and the seat 
of important manufactures. This 
village contains 8 besiutiful church- 
es, a large number of elegant dwell- 
ing-houses, 50 stores, and 10 tav- 
erns. 

The JS^nshtia Manufacturing 
Company was incor])orated in 1823. 
Ithas thruc cotton mills, 155 feet in 
lengtli, 45 in breadth and six stories 
in height. They contain 22,000 spin- 
dles, 710 looms, and manufacture 
9,390,000 yai'ds of cloth per annum. 
Their canal is 3 miles long, 60 feet 
wide, and 8 feet deep. Head and 
fall, 33 feet. Capital, $750,000. 

The Jackson Maniifacttiring 
Company was incorporated in 1824. 
Capital, .*:600.000. They have two 
cotton mills, 155 feet long, 47 wide, 
and 4 stories high. These mills 
contain 11,500 spiiuHcs, and 383 
looms. They manufacture 5,634,- 
000, yards of cloth annually. Their 
canal is half a mile in length, and 
serves for ti'ansportation on the 
river. Head and fall, 20 feet. 

The volume of water aflbrded by 
the Nashua river, at the (/ryesf sea- 
son of the year, is ISO cubic feet 
per second. 

The number of operatives in all 
the mills at Nashua is 1,448: — fe- 
males, 1,283; males, 160. The 
number of pounds of cotton used is 
14,500 per day, or 4,538,500 lbs. per 
annum. 

There are other valuable manu- 
23* 



faclures on Nashua river and the 
waters of Salmon brook. 

The Nashua and Lo\tell rail- 
road was opened for travel on the 
8th of October, 1333. 

The soil of Nasliua has consider- 
able variety. It is ea>y of culti- 
vation, and is generally productive. 
The east part of the town, lying on 
the rivcM-, presents a very level sur- 
face. The west parts are divided 
into hills and valleys, but the whole 
township may be considered far 
from being hilly or mountainous. 
It is watered by the Nashua river, 
a fertilizing stream, which rises in 
the state of Massachusetts, and 
Salmon brook, a small stream which 
originates from several ponds in 
Gi-oton. Both of these empty into 
Merrimack river, the former at 
Nashua village, the latter about one 
and a half mile below. 

This was for a long time a fron- 
tier town, and the first settlers were 
many times annoj^ed by the Indians, 
in the successive wars in which 
this country was engaged with 
them. In the war with the famous 
Narraganset sachem, this town 
was much exposed, and some of 
the inhabitants fled to the older set- 
tlements. In Lovewell's war, the 
company in this town under the 
brave Capt. John Lovewell, acquir- 
ed an imperishable name. Their 
successes at first, and misfortunes 
afterwards, have been often repeat- 
ed and are generally known. 

Dunstable belonged to Massa- 
chusetts till the divisional line be- 
tween the two provinces of Massa- 
cliusetts and New Hampshire was 
settled, in 1741. It was incorpora- 
ted by New Hampshire, April 1, 
1746, and the name was altered to 
Nashua in December, 1836. 

Natcliaiig River, Ct. 

This is the largest branch of the 
Shetucket. It rises in Union and 
Woodstock, and joins the Shetucket 
near the line of Chaplin and Mans- 
field. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



Natick, Mass. 

Middlesex CO. Natick is a pleas- 
ant town, of good soil : it is watered 
by Charles river, and contains sev- 
eral delightful ponds, well stored 
with fish. This was a favorite re- 
sort of the Indians. There are 
some moderate elevations in the 
town : the Indians used to call it 
" the place of hills." 

Under the advice and direction 
of the apostle Elliot, the first In- 
dian church in New England was 
formed here in 1660, and comprised 
40 communicants. 

The manufactures of the town 
consist principally of shoes. Dur- 
ing the year ending April 1, 1S37, 
250,650 pairs were made, valued at 
$213,053 : employing 452 hands. 
This town was incorporated in 1781. 
Population, 1830,890; 1837,1,221. 
It lies 16 miles W. S. W. from Bos- 
ton, and 12 S. from Concord. 

STaugatuck River, Ct. 

This important mill stream is 
about 50 miles in length. It rises 
in the north part of Litchfield coun- 
ty, and after traversing a S. course 
nearly the whole length of that 
county, it crosses the west part of 
New Haven county, and falls into 
the Housatonick at Derby. 

Neal's Brook and Poud, Vt. 

Neal's brook, or branch, rises in 
Lunenburgh and the border of 
Guildhall, and running south falls 
into a pond of the same name. It 
continues its course south and meets 
the Connecticut. This is a short 
stream, but valuable on account of 
its water power. 

JVeal's pond, a mile in length, 
and a half mile in width, is a 
handsome sheet of water, and con- 
tains a variety of fish. 

STeedliam, Mass. 

Norfolk CO. This town is nearly 
surrounded by the waters of Charles 



river. It contains numerous valua- 
ble mill seats. There are in the 
town 6 paper mills, a cotton facto- 
ry, and manufactures of shoes, 
hats, and window blind hinges : — 
annual value, about $150,000. In- 
corporated, 1711. Population, 1837, 
1,492. Ncedham lies 4 miles N. 
W. from Dedham, and 12 W. S. W. 
from Boston, by the Boston and Wor- 
cester rail-road. 

Neddock, Cape, Me. 

A rocky, barren bluff, inhabited 
by a few fishermen, about 3 miles 
N. from York harbor. 

JVelson, N. II., 

Cheshire co., is situated on the 
height of land between Connecti- 
cut and Merrimack rivers. The 
surface is hilly, but good for graz- 
ing. In the S. part, a branch of 
the Ashuelot river rises ; and from 
Long pond in this town, and Han- 
cock, issues a branch of Contoocook 
river. The best mill privileges are 
furnished by streams issuing from 
ponds in this town, of which there 
are four, containing a surface of 
1,800 acres. There is a cotton and 
other manufactories. The inhabit- 
ants are principally farmers of in- 
dustrious habits. It was chartered 
Feb. 22, 1774, by the name of 
Packersjield. In June, 1814, the 
name was altered to Nelson. The 
first settlements commenced inl767. 
Nelson lies 40 miles S. W. from 
Concord, and 8 N. E. from Keene. 
Population, 1830, 875. 

IVeponset River, Mass. 

Norfolk CO. The sources of this 
river are in Canton, Stoughton, and 
Sharon. It receives a tributary 
from Charles river, Mother brook, 
so called, and meets the tide of Bos- 
ton harbor at Milton Mills, 4 miles 
from Dorchester bay. This is a 
noble mill stream : on its navigable 
watei's is the depository of the Quin- 
cy granite rail-road company, and 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



at its mouth is Commercial Point, in 
Dorchester, a beautiful place, with 
an excellent harbor. 

Netvaggcn, Cape, Me. 

This cape is a part of tlic town of 
Roothbay. It extends about 5 miles 
into the sea, and forms the eastern 
boundary of Sheepscot's bay. 

Bfe«'arli, Vt. 

Caledonia co. The Passumpsic 
river is formed in this town by a 
collection of streams issuing- prin- 
cipally from ponds. The town is 
not mountainous, but the soil is cold 
and generally unproductive. It 
lies 44 miles N. E. from INIontpc- 
lier, and 19 N. W. from Guildhall. 
First settled, 1800. Population, in 
1830, 257. 

"Sew Asliford, Mass. 

Berkshire co. This is a moun- 
tainous township, but the soil is 
good for grazing. In 1837, the val- 
ue of 2,708 fleeces of wool, pro- 
duced in this town, weighing 7,785 
pounds, was worth ,f3,S93. New 
Ashford produces fine white and 
variegated marlile, and is the source 
of Green river. It lies 130 miles 
W. by N. from Boston, and 18 N. 
from Lenox. Incorporated, 1801. 
Population, 1837, 253. 

New Bedford, Mass. 

This is a half shire town of Bristol 
county, and port of entry, pleas- 
antly situated on the W. side of the 
Acushnet, a river, or more proper- 
ly an estuary, connected with Buz- 
zard's bay. The ground on which 
the town stands rises rapidly from 
the river, and affords an interesting 
view from the opposite side. 

The upper part of the town is 
laid out into beautiful streets, which 
contain many costly and superb 
dwellings. 

This harbor, though not easy of 
access, is capacious and well secur- 
ed from winds. A wooden bridge, 
near the centre of the town, con- 



nects it with the village of Fair- 
haven. A ferry has also been cb- 
tablislied, on which it is proposed to 
run a steam boat. 

New Bedford was incorporated 
in 1787, previous to which it con- 
stituted a part of the town of Dart- 
mouth. In 1812, the eastern part 
was set otr as a separate township 
by the name of Fairhaven. 

The almost exclusive business of 
the place is the whale fishery, 
which commenced before the war 
of the revolution, and has gradual- 
ly grown to its present importance. 
The increase, however, within the 
last 12 years has been more rapid 
than during any former period. — 
The number of ships and brigs now 
employed is 169. Tonnage of the 
district, in 1837, 85,130 tons. 

There are 16 oil manufactories, at 
which a large amount of oil and can- 
dles is made. A considerable quan- 
tity of the oil imported is, however, 
sold in the crude state to other pla- 
ces. 

The manufactures of the town 
consist of leather, boots, shoes, hats, 
iron castings, axes, chairs, tin and 
cabinet wares, vessels, salt, cord- 
age, soap, Prussian blue, paper 
hangings, carriages, looking-glass 
frames, and carpenter's tools: the 
total value, for the year ending 
April 1, 1837, including oil and can- 
dles, amounted to $690,800. There 
were imported, during that year, 
2,472,735 gallons of oil, and 305,170 
pounds of whale bone, the value 
of which was $1,750,832. The 
capital invested in the whale fish- 
ery was |!4,210,000. The num- 
ber of hands employed was 4,000. 

Few places in Massachusetts have 
increased in population more rapidly 
than this. By the census of 1790, 
the population of the village was 
about 700. In 1830, the township 
contained 7,592 ; in 1833, 9,200, 
and in 18.37, 14,.304. 

Within a few years, the inhabitants 
of this town have manifested a com- 
mendable liberality in providing the 



NE^y ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



means of education. There is a 
flourishing academy in the town, and 
large sums are annually appropria- 
ted for the maintenance of public 
and private schools. 

A rail-road will soon be construct- 
ed from this place, to meet the Bos- 
ton and Providence, at Seekonk, 
by the way of Fall River; or to 
meet the Taunton rail-road at Taun- 
ton. By eitlier of those routes, a 
trip to Bo3ton or New York, would 
be very pleasant. A large and 
wealthy town, highly flourishing 
in its commerce and manufactures 
like this, with the neighboring isl- 
ands of Nantucket and Martha's 
Vineyard, seem to require it. 

New Bedford lies .52 miles S. 
from Boston, 52 N. W. from Nan- 
tucket, 14 E. by S. from Fall Riven, 
20 S. S. E. from Taunton, and 21-1 
N. E. by E. from New York. 

Ne^v ISostoii, N. II., 

Hillsborough co., is 9 miles N. 
N. W. from Amherst, and 22 S. 
by W. from Concord. It is water- 
ed by several streams, the largest 
of which is the S. branch of Pi^icat- 
at[uog I'iver, having its source in 
Pleasant pond, in Francestown. — 
This town consists of; fertile hills, 
productive vales, and some valuable 
meadows. The soil is favorable for 
all the various productions common 
to this section of the state, and there 
are many excellent farms, under 
good cultivation. In the S. part of 
New Boston, there is a considerable 
elevation, called Jo English hill, on 
one side of which it is nearly per- 
pendicular. Its height is 572 feet. 
Beard's pond, and Jo English pond, 
are the only ponds of note. New 
Boston was granted, 1736, to inhab- 
itants of Boston. It was incorpora- 
ted, 1763. The first settlement 
commenced about the year 1733. 
The first minister was Rev. Solo- 
mon Moor, from Ireland, who re- 
ceived his education at Glasgow. 
In Feb. 1767, he arrived at New 
Boston, and was ordained Sept. 6, 



1763 ; died May 28, 1S03, aged 67. 
Population, 1830, 1,630. 

IVe^v Braiiitree, Mass. 

Worcester co. Ware river and 
other streams water this town, an<l 
afford it good mill privileges. The 
soil of the town is good, particular- 
ly for grazing : it has become cele- 
brated for its good fai'mers, and for 
its excellent beef cattle, butter and 
cheese. Thei-e is a cotton mill in 
the town, and manufactures of 
leather, palm-leaf hats, &c. It lies 
60 miles W. from Boston, and 18 W. 
N. W. from Worcester. Incorpo- 
rated, 1751. Population, 1837, 780. 

Ne\vltmrgli, Me. 

Penobscot co. This is a good 
township of land, 54 miles N. E. 
from Augusta, and 14 S. W. from 
Bangor. Incorporated, 1819. Pop- 
ulation, 1830, 626 ; 1837,367. Wa- 
tered by a branch of the Sowadabs- 
cook. Wheat crop, 1837, 5,041 
bushels. 

Newbury, N. H. 

Merrimack co. This town was 
originally called Dantzick ; it was 
incorporated by the name of Fish- 
ersfield, in 1778, and took its pres- 
ent name, in 1337. It lies 40 miles 
N. ¥/. by W. from Amherst, and 
30 Vt'. by N. from Concord. The 
S. part of Sunapee lake lies in the 
N. W. part. Todd pond, 500 rods 
in length, and 60 in width, affords a 
small branch to Warner river. — 
From Chalk pond issues a small 
stream communicating with Suna- 
pee lake. The land is generally 
mountainous, and the soil hard and 
rocky. The first settlement in this 
town was made in the year 1762, 
by Zephaniah Clark, Esq. Popula- 
tion, 1S30, 798. 

Xe^vtoury, Vt. 

Orange co. This is a beautiful 
town on the W. side of Connecti- 
cut river, and supplied with mill 
privileges by Wells river, and 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



Hariman's and Hill's brooks. These 
brooks have their sources in ponds 
of considerable size. Newbury 
comprises the tract coninionly call- 
ed the Great Oxbow, on a bend in 
Connecticut river. Tiiis tract is of 
great extent, and celebrated for its 
luxuriance and beauty. The agri- 
cultural productions of the town are 
very valuable, consisting of beef 
cattle, wool, and all the varieties of 
the dairy. The town contains a 
number of mineral springs, of some 
celebrity in scrofulous and cutane- 
ous complaints. 

The villages of JVewhxiry and 
JVells River are very pleasant : 
they command a flourishing trade, 
and contain manufacturing estab- 
lishments of various kinds. Some 
of the buildings are verj' handsome. 
The scenery of the windings of the 
river through this fine ti-act of al- 
luvial meadow, contrasted with the 
abrupt acclivities in the north part 
of the town, is very striking and 
beautiful. 

The town is connected with Ha- 
verhill, N. H., by two bridges. It 
lies 27 miles S. E. from Montpelier, 
and 20 N. E. from Chelsea. Popu- 
lation, 1830, 2,252. First settled, 
1764. The first settlers endured 
many hardships. For some years 
they had to go to Charlcstown to 
mill, 60 miles distant, carrying their 
grain in canoes down the river, or 
drawing it on the ice. 

General Bailey, a patriot of the 
revolution, distinguished himself in 
the settlement of the town. 

The state legislature held tlieir 
sessions in Newbury, in the years 
1787, and 1801. 

Kcwbury. 3Ias3. 

Essex CO. This ancient and re- 
spectable town, lies on Merrimack 
river, opposite to Salisbury. It for- 
merly comprised the territory of 
Newburyport and West Newbury. 
The soil is of an excellent quality, 
and in a high state of cultivation. 
Parker and Artichoke rivers are 



pleasant streams ; the former falls 
nearly 50 feet in the town, and af- 
fords it good mill seats. A part of 
Plum ishaid, is attached to this town. 
This island, about nine miles in 
length and one in breadth, extend- 
ing from Ipswich river to the mouth 
of the Mei-rimack, is comprised of 
sandy beach and salt meadow ; and 
is noted for the beach plum, which 
ri])ens in September. 

A curious cavern, called the 
" Devil's Den," contains specimens 
of asbestos, limestone, marble, ser- 
pentine and amianthos. The scene- 
ry on the high grounds is rich, va- 
riegated and beautiful. 

Dummer academj-, founded in 
1756, is a flourishing institution: it 
is situated in the paiish of " By- 
field." 

The manufactures of Newbury 
consist of cotton goods, leather, 
boots, shoes, carriages, cordage, 
fishing nets, bed cords and cotton 
lines: annual value about ,^75,000. 
A large number of vessels are built 
in tlie town, and some navigation 
is owned and employed in the coast- 
ing trade and fishery. 

This town is celebrated as the 
birth place of many distinguished 
men. Theophilus Parsons, 
LL. D., an eminent jurist, was born 
in Newbury, February 24, 1750. 
He died in Boston, October 6, 1813. 

Newbury was first settled, in 
16.S5. Its Indian name was Qiiqf- 
cacunquen. It lies 31 miles N. by 
E. from Boston, 17 N. from Salem, 
and 3 S. from Newburyport. Pop- 
ulation, 1837, 3,771. 

Ke-»vbttryport, Mass. 

One of the shire towns of Essex 
county. Thisis considered one of the 
most beautiful towns in New Eng- 
land. It lies on a gentle acclivity, 
on the south bank of the Merri- 
mack, at the union of that riVer 
with the ocean. In point of terri- 
tory, it is the smallest town in the 
commonwealth, being only one mile 
square. It was taken from New- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



bury in 1764. Population, in 1837, 
6,741. This place has been and 
now is considerably noted foi' its 
commerce and ship building. Some 
of the old continental frigates were 
built here ; and in 1790, the ton- 
nage of the port was 11,870 tons. 
Of late years the foreign commerce 
of the place has diminished, in con- 
sequence of a sandbar at the mouth 
of the harbor. This place has con- 
siderable inland and foreign com- 
merce. It has four whale ships, 
and a large amount of tonnage en- 
gaged in the freighting business 
and the cod and mackerel fisheiies. 
Tonnage of the district, in 1S37, 
22,078 tons. 

The manufactures of Newbury- 
port consist of cotton goods, boots, 
shoes, hats, bar iron, ii-on castings, 
chairs, cabinet and tin wares, combs, 
spirits, vessels, snuff, segars, or- 
gans, soap and candles: annual 
amount about ^-350,000. The pro- 
duct of the whale fishery, the year 
ending April 1, 1837, was $142,982. 
During the same period, this town 
and Newbury had 128 vessels em- 
ployed in the cod and mackerel 
fisher}", employing 1,000 hands: 
product that year, $177,700. 

Newburyport lies 34 miles N. by 
E. from Boston, 20 N. from Salem, 
24 S. by W. from Portsmouth, N. 
H., and 2 miles S. E. from Essex 
bridge. Lat. 42° 47' N.; Ion. 70° 
47' W. From the mouth of this 
harbor. Plum Island, extends to the 
mouth of Ipswich river. 

The Hon. William Bartlett 
and Moses Brown, Esq., distin- 
guished for their enterprise and in- 
tegrity as merchants, were natives 
of this town. 

The celebrated George White- 
field, one of the founders of the 
sect of the Methodists, and one of 
its most eloquent preachers, died in 
this town, Sept. 21, 1770. 

A handsome monument has been 
erected to his memory, by the Hon. 
William Bartlett, the fol- 
lowing is a part of the inscription: 



This Cenotaph 

Is erected, with affectionate 

veneration, to 

The memory of the 

Rev. GEORGE WHITEFIELD : 

Born at Gloucester, England, 

December 16, 1714. 

Educated at Oxford University ; 

Ordained 1736. 

In a ministry of thirty-four years, 

He crossed the Atlantic thirteen times, 

And preached more 

Than eighteen thousand sermons. 

As a Soldier of the 

Cross, humble, devout, ardent, 

He put on the 

Whole armor of God; Preferring 

The honour of Christ 

To liis own interest, repose, 

Reputation, and life. 

Kcw Canaan, Ct. 

Fairfield CO. This town was tak- 
en from Norwalk and Stamford in 
1801. It lies 5 miles N. W. from 
Norwalk, 37 W. S. W. from New 
Haven, and 50 N. E. from New 
York. Population, 1830, 1,826.— 
The surface of the town is rough 
and mountainous; the soil is ahard, 
gravelly loam, but generally pro- 
ductive. The manufacture of shoes 
is carried on to a considerable ex- 
tent : the annual value is about 
$400,000. 

An academy was established here 
in 1815, and has acquired a high 
reputation. It stands on an eleva- 
ted and commanding situation, hav- 
ing a fine prospect of Long Island 
Sound and the intervening country. 
Pestles and other Indian implements 
have been found at the noith part of 
the town, which probably was the 
resort of the natives. Excavations 
in solid rock, one large enough to 
contain eight gallons, are found : 
these were doubtless Indian mor- 
tars. 

Ne-w Castle, Me. 

Lincoln CO. New Castle lies on the 
W. side of Damariscotta river, about 
15 miles from its mouth. It is 
36 miles S. E. from Augusta, and 
8 N. E. from Wiscasset. Incorpo- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



rated, 1753. Population, in 1S.37, 
1,545. This is a pleasant town, and 
flourishing in its trade and naviga- 
tion. 

'Hew Castle, K. H., 

Rockingham co., is a rough and 
rocky island, situated in Portsmouth 
harbor, and tormerly called Great 
Island. A handsome bridge, built 
in 1821, connects this town with 
Portsmouth. Here is an ancient 
church. Rev. Samuel Moody 
preached here previous to the com- 
mencement of the 13th century. 
New Castle was incorporated in 
1693, and contains 458 acres. This 
island was the seat of business, 
when ancient Strawberry Bank 
was the mere germ of the town of 
Portsmouth. Fishing is here pur- 
sued with success; and the soil 
amonw the rocks, being of good 
quality, is made to produce abund- 
antly. Fort Constitution and the 
light-house stand on this island. — 
Population, 1S30, 830. 

"Sew Fairfield, Ct. 

Fairfield co. This is a small town- 
ship, rough and hilly, with a hard 
and gravelly soil. It lies 64 miles 
S. W. from Hartford, and 7 N. from 
Danbury. Incorporated, in 1740. 
Population, 1S30, 940. 

New Diu-ham, X. H. 

Strafford co. The surface of this 
town is very uneven, a portion so 
rocky as to be unfit for cultivation. 
The soil is generally moist, and 
well adapted to grazing. There 
are 5 ponds in New Durham, the 
largest of which is Merrymeeting 
pond, about 10 miles in circumfer- 
ence, from which a copious and 
perpetual stream runs into Merry- 
meeting bay, in Alton. Ela's river 
flows from Coldrain pond into Farm- 
ington, on which is a fine waterfall. 
The Cocheco also has its source 
here. Mount Betty, Cropple-crown 
and Straw's mountains are the prin- 
cipal eminences. On the N. E. side 



of the latter is a remarkable cave, 
the entrance of which is about 3 
feet wide and 10 feet high. The 
outer room is 20 feet square ; the 
inner apartments become smaller, 
until at the distance of 50 feet they 
are too small to be investigated. — 
The sides, both of the galleries and 
the rooms are solid granite. They 
bear marks of having been oacc 
united, and were probably separat- 
ed by some great convulsion of 
nature. 

There is a fountain, over which a 
part of Ela's river passes, which is 
regarded as a curiosity. By sinking 
a small mouthed vessel into this 
fountain, water may be procured 
extremely cold and pure. Us depth 
hasnot been ascertained. Near the 
centre of the town is Rattlesnake 
hill, the S. side of which is almost 
100 feet high, and nearly perpen- 
dicular. Several other hills in this 
town contain precipices and cavi- 
ties, some of considerable extent. 
New Durham v.as granted in 1749. 
It was incorporated Dec. 7, 1762. 
Elder Bekjamix Raxdall, the 
founder of the sect of Freewill 
Baptists, commenced his labors here 
in 17S0, and organized a church. 
He died in 1308, aged 60. 

New Durham lies 30 miles N. E. 
from Concord, and 32 N. W. by N. 
from Dover. Population, in 1830, 
1,1G2. 

Ke-vvfone, Vt. 

Windham co. County town. — 
Newfanc lies about 10() miles S. 
fiom Montpelier, and 12 N. W. 
fi-om Brattleborough. First settled, 
1768. The town is watered by a 
branch of West river, and several 
other streams. The surface of the 
town is diversified by hills and val- 
leys; the soil is good, and produces 
white oak and walnut in abundance. 
There is but little waste land in the 
town : the uplands are inferior to 
none for grazing, and the intervales 
afford excellent tillage. Newfane 
exhibits a great variety of minerals, 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



among which are some of value. 
Perhaps no town in the state pre- 
sents a more inviting field for the 
mineralogist than this. 

There are two pleasant villages 
in the town. The centre village 
contains the county buildings ; it is 
on elevated land, and commands a 
very extensive and delightful pros- 
pect. Population, 1830, 1,441. 

Ne-\vfoiiiid Pond and Biver,?!.!!. 

See Bristol. 

JVewfield, Mc. 

York CO. This town is watered 
by Little Ossipee river, and lies 99 
miles S. W. by W. from Augusta, 
and 15 N. W. from Alfred. It is 
a good farming town and produces 
considerable wheat and wool. It 
was incorporated in 1794. Popula- 
tion, 1837, 1,322. 



New Gloucester, Me. 

Cumberland co. This is a pleasant 
and flourishing farming town, 23 
miles N. from Portland, and 38 S. 
W. from Augusta. Incorporated, 
1774. Population, 1837, 1,861. It 
is well watered by Royal's river, 
on which are mills of various kinds. 
The soil of the town is very fertile, 
containing large tracts of intervale. 
The first settlers were compelled 
to build a block house for their pro- 
tection against the Indians. In this 
building the people attended pub- 
lic worship for a number of years. 
This town has an abundant water 
power, a school fund of ,$4,000, and 
a society of about 300 of those neat 
and industrious people, " whose 
faith is one and whose practice is 
one." See Canterbury, J\r. H. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 






NEW HAMPSHIRE. 

This state is bounded north by Lower Canada, east by Maine, south- 
east by the Atlantic and the State of Massachusetts, south by Massa- 
chusetts, and west and north-west by Vermont. Situated between 42° 
40' and 45° 16' N. lat.,and 72° 27' and 70° So' W. ion. Its length is 
168, and its greatest breadlh about 90 miles, and it comprises an area of 
about 9,2S0 square milts. 

The first discovery of New Ilanipslure was in 1614, and the first set- 
tlements made by Europeans were at Dover and Portsmouth, in 1623; 
only three years after the landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth. The 
next settlements were at E.xeter and Hampton, in 1G33. The inhabit- 
rmts of these and all the earlj' settlements, until after the cession of Can- 
ada to England by France, were greatly annoyed by the Indians, who 
existed in large and powerful bodies in this then wildei-ness. In the re- 
peated and general wars wi(h the Indians, New Hampshire suffered more 
than any other of the colonies. This colony was twice united with that 
of Massachusetts, and the final separation did not take place until 1741, 
when the boundaries of the two colonies were settled. In the revolu- 
tionary contest, New Hampshire bore a distinguished and honorable part. 
The blood of her sons was freely shed on most of the battle fields of the 
revolution. As early as June 15, 1776, New Hampshire made a public 
Declaration of Independence, and in December of that year, the 
<k-legatcs of the people adopted a temporary form of Government, which 
was continued until 1784, when the first constitution was adopted. This 

24 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 

being found deficient in some of its provisions, a new constitution was 
adopted in 1792, which is now in force. 

The executive power is vested in a Governor and five Counsellors, chos- 
en annually by the people. The legislature consists of the Senate, com- 
prising twelve members, chosen in twelve districts, and the House of 
Representatives, chosen annually in the month of March, every town 
having 150 rateable polls being entitled to send one, and an additional 
representative for every 300 additional polls. The legislature a.ssembles 
annually at Concord, on the first Wednesday of June. 

All male citizens, of 21 years and upwards, except paupers and per- 
sons excused from taxes, have a right to vote for state officers — a resi- 
dence of at least three months within the town being required to entitle 
the person to vote. 

The judiciary power is vested in a Superior Court of Judicature, and 
Courts of Common Pleas. The four Judges of the Superior Court, hold 
law terms once a year in each of the counties ; and Judges of the Supe- 
rior Court are ex officio Presiding Judges in the courts of Common Pleas, 
holden semi-annually in each county, by one of the Superior Judges 
with the two Associate Justices of the Common Pleas for each county. 
The Judges hold their offices during good behavior, until 70 years of age ; 
but are subject to removal by impeachment, or by address of the two 
houses of the legislature. 

Succession of Governors. 

Me.shech Weare,* 1776—1784. John Langdon, 1785. John Sullivan, 
1786, 1787. John Langdon, 17SS. John Sullivan, 1789. Josiah Bart- 
lett, 1790—1793. John Taylor Gilman, 1794— 1S04. John Langdon, 
1805—1808. Jeremiah Smith, 1809. John Langdon, 1810, 1811. Wil- 
liam Plumer, 1812. John Taylor Gilman, 1813— 1815. William Plumer, 
1816—1818. Samuel Bell, 1819-1822. Levi Woodbury, 1823.— 
David Lawrence Morril, 1824 — 1826. Benjamin Pierce, 1827. John 
Bell, 1828. Benjamin Pierce, 1829. Matthew Harvey, 1830. Samuel 
Dinsmoor, 1831—1833. William Badger, 1834, 1835. Isaac Hill, 1836 
—1838. John Page, 1839— 

Succession of Chief Justices of the Superior Court. 

Meshech Weare, 1776-1781. Samuel Livermore, 1782—1789. Jo- 
siah Bartlett, 1790. John Pickering, 1791—1794. Simeon Olcott, 1795 
—1801. Jeremiah Smith, 1802— 1808. Arthur Livermore, 1809— 1812. 

* The Chief Magistrates were styled President, until the adoption of the 
Constitution of 1792, when the title of Governor was substituted. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



Jeremiah Smith, 1813— 1S15. WilUam Merchant Richardson, 1816 — 
1837. Joel Parker, 1838— 
New Hampshire is divided into eight counties, as follows : — 



CouTities. 


.\o.of 
(owns. 


Population 
ml830. 


Skire Towns. 


Rockingham, 


32 


44,552 


Portsmouth, Exeter. 


Strafford, 


33 


58,916 


Dover, Gilford, Rochester. 


Merrimack, 


24 


34,619 


Concord. 


Hillsborough, 


30 


37,762 


Amherst. 


Cheshire, 


23 


27,016 


Keene. 


Sullivan, 


15 


19,687 


Newport. 


Grafton, 


37 


38,691 


Haverhill, Plymouth. 


Coos, 


26 
220 


8,390 


Lancaster. 


269,633 



New Hampshire is more mountainous than any of her sister states, yet 
she boasts of large quantities of luxuriant intervale. Her high lands 
produce food for cattle of peculiar sweetness ; and no where can be found 
the necessaries, conveniences, and luxuries of life, united, in greater 
abundance : cattle and wool are its principal staples. This state may be 
said to be the mother of New England rivers. The Connecticut, Mer- 
rimack, Saco, Androscoggin and Piscataqua, receive most of their waters 
from the high lands of New Hampshire : while the former washes the 
western boundary of the state 163 miles, the Merrimack pierces its cen- 
tre, and the Piscataqua forms the beautiful harbor of Portsmouth, a depot 
of the American navy. 

These majestic rivers, with their tributary streams afford this state an 
immense water power, of which manufacturers, with large capitals, avail 
themselves. 

The largest collection of water in the state is Lake Winnepisiogee, 
(pronounced Win-ne-pe-sok'-e.) It is one of the most varied and beau- 
tiful sheets of water on the American continent. Lakes Connecticut, 
Ossipee, Umbagog, Squam, Sunapee, and Massabesick, are large collec- 
tions of water, and abound with fish and fowl. 

New Hampshire is frequently called the Granite State, from the vast 
quantities of that rock found within its territory. The granite is of a su- 
perior quality, and much of it is quarried and transported to other states. 
The geological structure of the state is highly interesting. Iron and cop- 
per ore and plumbago, of excellent qualities, are found; and coal and 
other valuable minerals are supposed to exist. 

This state is also called the Switzerland of America, on account of 
the salubrity of its climate; its wild and picturesque landscapes; its 
lakes and rapid streams. The celebrated White Mountains, in the north- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



ern part of the state, are of great elevation, and afford the grandest dis- 
play of mountain scenery in our country. See Winnepisio gee Lake, and 
White Mountains — also Register. 



Tiew Hampton, ]V. II., 

Strafford co., lies 30 miles N. 
hy W. from Concord, and about 20 
N. W. from Gilmanton. Popula- 
tion, 1S30, 1,904. Pemigewasset 
river, which washes the W. bound- 
ary, is the only stream of magni- 
tude; and over it is thrown the 
bridge which unites the town with 
Bristol. 

There is a remarkable spring on 
the W. side of Kelly's hill in this 
town, from which issues a stream 
sufficient to supply several mills. 
This stream is never affected by 
rains or droughts, and falls into the 
river after running about a mile. ' 
Pemigewasset pond lies on the bor- 
der of Meredith. There are 4 other 
ponds in this town. The soil of 
New Hampton, though the surface 
is broken and uneven, is remarka- 
bly fertile, producing in abundance 
most kinds of grain and grass. The 
industry of the inhabitants has en- 
abled them in years of scarcity to 
supply the wants of other towns. 
In the S. part of the town there is 
a high hill of a conical form which 
may be seen in almost any direc- 
tion from 10 to 50 miles; the pros- 
pect from the summit of which is 
very pleasant. 

In 176.S, Gen. Jonathan Moulton, 
of Hampton, having an ox weigh- 
ing 1,400 pounds, fattened for the 
purpose, hoisted a flag upon his 
horns and drove him to Portsmouth 
as a present to Gov. Wcntvvorth. 
He refused to receive any compen- 
sation for the ox, hut merely as a 
token of the governor's friendship 
and esteem, he would like to have 
a charter of a small gore of land he 
had discovered adjoining the town 



of Moultonborough, of which he 
was one of the principal proprie- 
tors. It was granted, and he called 
it JSTew Ha7npt(/n, in honor of his 
native town. This small gore of 
land contained 19,422 acres, a part 
of which now constitutes the town 
of Centre Harbor. It was incorpo- 
rated Nov. 27, 1777. 

New Hartford, Ct. 

Litchfield CO. This town was first 
settled in 17oo. It lies 20 miles N. 
W. from Hartford, and 11 N. E. 
from Litchfield. Population, 1S30, 
1,766. The surface of the town is 
hilly and mountainous. The lands 
are best adapted for grazing. It is 
watered by Farmington river and 
other streams, on which are several 
mills. 

" In the eastern part of this town 
there is a rough and mountainous 
district, formerly designated Sa- 
tan^ s Kingdom ; and the few in- 
habitants who lived here were in a 
measure shutout from the rest of 
mankind. An inhabitant of the 
town invited one of his neighbors, 
who lived within the limits of this 
district, to go and hear Mr. Marsh, 
the first minister who was settled in 
the town. He was prevailed upon 
lo go to church in the forenoon. In 
the course of his prayer, Mr. Marsh, 
among other things, prayed that Sa- 
tan's kingdom might be destroyed. 
It appears that the inhabitant of 
this district took the expression in 
a literal and tangible sense, having 
piobably never heard the expres- 
sion used but in reference to the 
district wherein he resided. Being 
asked to go to meeting in the after- 
noon, he refused, stating that Mr. 

Marsh had insulted him ; ' for blast 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



him," said he, ' when he prayed 
for the destruction of Satan's king- 
dom, he very well knew all my in- 
terests lay there." 

Neiv Haven, Vt. 

Addison co. The soil of this town 
is various, consisting; of marl, clay 
and loam, and is generally produc- 
tive. The waters of Otter creek, 
Middlebury river, and Little Otter 
creek give the town a good water 
power. There are some manufac- 
tures in the town, but agriculture 
is the chief pursuit of the inhabi- 
tants. New Haven lies 30 miles 
W. S. W. from Montpelier, and 7 
N. W. from Middlebury. First set- 
tied, 1769. Population,"lS30, 1,834. 

Ne^v Haven County, Ct. 

Chief town, J\''eir Haven. New 
Haven county is bounded N. by 
Litchfield and Hartford counties, 
E. by Middlesex county, S. by 
Long Island Sound, and West by 
Lit-chfield county and the Housa- 
tonic river, which separates it from 
Fairlield county. Its average length 
from east to west is about 26 miles, 
and its width from north to south 21 
miles; containing .'540 square miles, 
or 345,600 acres. This count\', ly- 
ing on Long Island Sound, lias a ve- 
ry extensive maritime border, l)ut 
its foreign trade is chiefly confined 
to New Haven harbor. Its fishe- 
ries of oysters and clams, and other 
fish, are valuable. It is intersect- 
ed by several streams, none of them 
of very large size, but of some val- 
ue for their water power and tish. 
Of these the principal are the Pom- 
peraug and Naugatuc, on the west ; 
Quinnipiac, Meniinkatuc, West and 
Mill rivers, on the east. The Quin- 
nipiac is the largest, and passes 
through extensive meadows. Tlie 
county is intersected centrally by 
the New Haven and Northampton 
canal, which passes through this 
county Irom north to south. There 
is a great variety of soil in tliis 
county, as well as of native vcgc- 
24* 



table and mineral productions. The 
range of secondary country which 
extends along Connecticut river as 
far as Middletown, there leaves 
that stream, crosses into this county, 
and terminates at New Haven. 
This intersection of the primitive 
formation, by a secondary ridge, af- 
fords a great variety of minerals, 
and materials for different soils. 

The population of this county in 
1820, was 39,616; 1830,43,847:— 
81 inhabitants to a square mile. 
The manufacturing business is quite 
extensive in the county, and in 
1837 it contained 23,895 sheep. 

Nctv Haven, Ct. 

New Haven, city and town, the 
chief town of New Haven county, 
and the semi-capital of the state of 
Connecticut, is 70 miles N. E. from 
New York, and 300 from Washing- 
ton city, in latitude (Yale College 
Observatory) 41° 18' 30" N., and 
W. longitude 72° 55'. It is situa- 
ted on a large and pleasant plain, 
around the head of a bay which 
sets up four miles from Long Isl- 
and Sound. This plain is nearly 
level, and is partially enclosed by an 
amphitheatre of lofty hills, and by 
two bold eminences called East and 
West rocks, which vary in height 
from 330 to 370 feet. These rocks, 
which consist of trap, terminate in 
naked precipitous fronts, and are 
conspicuous and beautiful objects 
in the landscape. On the west, the 
plain is limited by a small stream 
called West rivei-, and on the east 
by the Quinnipiack, which is navi- 
gable for several miles. Another 
stream, called Mill river, passes 
tlirough the eastern part of the city 
and enters the harbor in union with 
the Quinnipiack. 

New Haven was planted in April, 
163S, by a conip;tny from London, 
under the direction of Theophilus 
Eaton and .John Davenport. These 
two men, in the language of Ma- 
ther, were " the Moses and Aaron" 
of this new settlement; and what- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



ever there was of good or evil, of 
wisdom or folly, in laying the foun- 
dations of civilized society in this 
part of New England, must be as- 
cribed in a gi'eat measure to them. 
Though the government which 
was established was extremely pop- 
ular in its form, these men with- 
out doubt were looked up to for 
devising and executing the most 
important measures. Their " com- 
pany," as it was called, appear to 
have had entire confidence in their 
sound judgment, ability and integ- 
rity; and they did nothing to for- 
feit the good opinion of their fol- 
lowers. Their influence in all the 
concerns of the colony, especially 
in what respected the form of gov- 
ernment, the means of education, 
and the institutions of religion, 
must have been constant and com- 
manding. 

In 1784, New Haven was incor- 
porated as a city, the limits of which 
on the northwest fall within those 
of the town, so that Westville, a 
settlement on the foot of West Rock, 
is excluded from the former. About 
one half of the village of Fair Ha- 
ven, in the eastern portion of the 
town, lies within the bounds of the 
city. The area of the town is about 
eight, and that of the city about six 
square miles. The harbor is well 
protected and spacious, but the wa- 
ter is shallow. A wharf extends 
into the harbor about three quar- 
ters of a mile. 

The original town is a square, 
half a mile on each side, and subdi- 
vided by streets four rods in width, 
into nine squares, the central one 
of which is reserved for public uses. 
Most of the squares are further di- 
vided by intermediate streets. At 
the present day, this original plot 
comprises less than half of the in- 
habited part of the city. Streets 
and avenues have been opened on 
every side, and many of them have 
become thickly settled. The streets 
are in general, spacious and regu- 



lar; very many of them adorned 
with lofty elms, which in the sum- 
mer season contribute much to the 
beauty and comfort of the place. 
The number of shade trees through- 
out the city is uncommonly large, 
and they constitute one of its most 
attractive features. Most of the 
dwelling houses are distinguished 
for simplicity and neatness. With- 
in a few years the style of build- 
ing has greatly improved, and many 
private houses have been erected 
and are now going up, which dis- 
play much elegance and architectu- 
ral taste. The houses are com- 
monly detached, and supplied with 
court yards and gardens ornament- 
ed with trees and shrubbery, and 
the eye is thus gratified with a de- 
lightful union of the country and 
the city. 

There are two principal public 
squares. The first, commonly call- 
ed the Green, is in the centre of 
the original town, and comprises 
in all a little more than sixteen 
acres. It is divided into two sec- 
tions by Temple street, which is 
lined with ranges of stately and 
over-arching elms, and is considered 
one of the finest streets in the city. 
The eastern section of the Green is 
entirely fi-ee from buildings. On 
the western section, facing the S.E., 
stan<l 3 churches, two Congregation- 
al, built of brick, and one Episco- 
pal, of stone: all of these build- 
ings are of excellent appearance. 
In the rear of the centre church 
stands the state house. These four 
buildings, taken in connexion with 
the line of college edifices on the 
next square beyond, and with the 
surrounding scenery, constitute a 
group not often equalled in this 
country. The state house is a 
structure of great size and admira- 
ble proportions. The porticos are 
modelled from those of the temple 
of Theseus, at Athens, and the 
building, viewed at a sliort distance, 
has an air of uncommon beauty 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



and majesty. On the northern 
corner of this section stands the 
methodist church. 

IVoosler Square, which lies in 
the eastern part of the city, com- 
prises five acres, and has recent- 
ly been phinted with a large num- 
ber of native ornamental trees of 
various kinds. 

The Public Cemetery is situated 
opposite the northern angle of the 
original town plot, and encloses 
seventeen acres and two thirds. It 
is divided by avenues and alleys 
into family lots, 32 feet in length 
and 18 in breadth. There is a grave 
and silent grandeur in this place ; 
hut it would appear moi'e beautiful 
were it shaded by »ja<ii'e trees in- 
stead of Lombardi/ poplars. 

The State Hospital is located at 
New Haven. It is a large and 
commodious building of stone, very 
favorably situated on elevated 
ground, in the western part of the 
city. 

One daily and four weekly news- 
papers, and one religious weekly 
.'heet, are published here. Tlie 
Daily Herald was the earliest daily 
paper issued in this state, it having 
been commenced here November 
26, 1832. The other periodical 
publications of the place, are the 
Vale Literary .Magazine, edited 
by the students of Yale College ; 
the Quarterly Christian Spectator, 
a work of established reputation, 
which began as a monthly in 1819, 
and after ten volumes of that series 
had been completed, adopted its 
present form, in which it has reach- 
ed its tenth volume ; and the 
American Journal of Science and 
Arts, edited by Professor Silliman. 
This important periodical was com- 
menced in 1819, and has arrived at 
the 3.5th volume, having outlived 
many of its early P^uropean con- 
temporaries. It is a work which has 
done much for the advancement of 
science, and reflects great honor on 
the nation and city of its birth, as 
well as ou its distinguished editor. 



The popiilation of the town, in- 
cluding the city, was in 1820, 
8,326 \ in 1830, lb, 678 ; in Decem- 
ber, 1833, 12,199, of whom 11,567 
were within the city. The num- 
ber of inhabitants in 1837, was esti- 
mated at 14,000. 

As a seat of education. New 
Haven is justly celebrated. At a 
moderate estimate, one thousand 
persons from abroad are constantly 
here for the purposes of receiving 
instruction. 

Yale College is one of the most 
ancient and celebrated institutions 
of learning in the country, and num- 
bers among her academical gradu- 
ates, 4,824 persons. 

The Mineral Collection, well 
known as the most extensive in the 
country, occupies a spacious and 
well lighted apartment. 

The Telescope belonging to the 
college was made by Dolland, and 
presented by Mr. Sheldon Clark, 
of Oxford. It is an achromatic of 
live inches aperture and ten feet 
focal length, and is considered an 
instrunicnt of great excellence. 
See Register. 

Besides the College libraries, there 
are in the city several libraries of 
considerable extent and importance. 
Anions; tliem, that belonging to Mr. 
Ithiel Town deserves to be particu- 
larized. This is a large and precious 
collection of books, principally on 
architecture and the other fine arts, 
together with many volumes of 
great antiquity and rarity. It is 
the most complete architectural li- 
brary in the United States. It is 
placed beyond the reach of fire, in 
an elegant building on Hillhouse 
avenue. In 1837, there were in 
New Haven 43 well conducted 
academies and private schools, 
some of which were of an elevated 
character for females. The public 
schools are well sustained. The 
annual expenditure for schools is 
about $30,000. The whole number 
of pupils is about 2,500. 

There are in New Haven several 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



institutions for the promotion of the 
science, industry and comfort of its 
inhabitants. 
The Connecticut Academy of Arts 
and Sciences was incorporated in 
1799. It has published one volume 
of Memoirs, (8 vo. 1810—1813, pp. 
412 ;) but since the e-itablishinent of 
Prof. Silliman's Journal of Science, 
their Memoirs have appeared in that 
work. 

The American Geological So- 
ciety was incorporated in 1S19. — 
Its collection of specimens is con- 
nected with the mineral cabinet of 
Yale College. 

The Vale JVatural History So- 
ciety has existed four years, and 
has a considerable collection of 
birds, shells, minerals, plants, &c. 
Its transactions have hitherto been 
made puiiiic throus^h Prof. Silli- 
man's Journal of Science. The 
Mutual Aid Association is an insti- 
tution of great utility. The JVeio 
Haven Horticultural Society and 
the Orphan Asylum are well sup- 
ported and highly beneficial. 

The mechanics of New Haven 
have long been distinguished for 
their industry, intelligence and love 
of knowledge. As early as 1807 
they established the Mechanics^ So- 
ciety, for .the promotion of the use- 
ful arts, and the encouragement of 
industry and merit. The society 
is in a prosperous condition. The 
young mechanics have, moreover, 
estabUshed for their mutual im- 
provement, the Youjig Mechanics' 
Institute. The plan has been pro- 
secuted with zeal and success. 
The Institute has a cabinet of min- 
erals ; a collection of philosophical 
apparatus, and several hundred vol- 
umes of books. The manufactures 
of New Haven are numerous; 
among which are boots, shoes, car- 
pets, and rugs of a superior quality, 
stoves, locks, paper, books, hats, 
tin and cabinet Vi'ares, muskets, 
iron castings, machinery, sashes, 
window blinds, &c. 

The manufiicturing interest of 



New Haven employs an extensive 
capital, and a large number of per- 
sons. 

The foreign commerce of New 
Haven is principally confined to 
(he West India Islands, with which 
a considerable trade is carried on. 
Tonnage of the district, in 1837, 
9,559 tons. 

A line of packets plies between 
this and New York city, and an ex- 
cellent line of steam-boats furnish- 
es daily communication with that 
city. 

The New Haven and Northamp- 
ton Canal connects the waters of 
Connecticut river at the latterplace, 
with the harbor of this city. This 
great work, having surmounted 
many difficulties and embarrass- 
ments, is now in a fair way to give 
a new impulse to the business of 
the city. A line of packet boats 
runs daily between Noithampton 
and New Haven, and promises to 
be well sustained. 

The New Haven and Hartford 
Rail- Road is now in the course of 
construction, and will probably be 
completed during the present year. 
When finished it must prove of 
great importance to the interests of 
the place. 

Tlie village of Fair Haven is 
built on both sides the Quinnipiack, 
and about one half of it lies within 
the hmits of the city of New Ha- 
ven. This village has grown to its 
present importance with great rapid- 
ity, and now carries on an exten- 
sive and thriving business. It has 
two churches, and a large and pros- 
perous high school, known as the 
Fair Haven Institute. 

The village of TVestville contains 
about 700 inhabitants. Manufac- 
tures and agriculture constitute the 
chief business of the place. 

New Haven may justly boast of 
many distinguislied men who made 
that city their favorite residence. 
Tlie names of David Wooster, 
of Nathaht Whiting, of Rog- 
er Sherman, of James Hill- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



HOUSE, and many others, will nev- 
er be ioigotten. 

How large a part of the United 
States is indebted lor its prosperity 
to the inventive genius of Eli 
Whitney, late a citizen of New 
Haven ? " The connnerce, the 
business of the world, has been es- 
sentially modified and increased 
through the operation of his princi- 
pal invention, the cotton gin ; and 
the substantial convenience and en- 
joyment of mankind have, by the 
same means, been extended and are 
extending, to a degree which no 
man can calculate." 

This Citif of Groves is a very 
delightful place: it probably con- 
centrates more charms than any 
city of its age and population in the 
world. 

Ne^vingtou, N. II. 

Rockingham co. The soil is gen- 
erally sandy and unproductive; ex- 
cepting near the waters, where it 
yields good crops of grain and grass. 
At Fox point, in the N. W. part of 
the town, Piscataqua bridge is 
thrown over the river to Goat isl- 
and, and thence to Durham shore. 
The bridge was erected in 1793, is 
2,600 feet long, and 40 wide ; cost 
$6.5,401. Newington was origin- 
ally a part of Portsmouth and Dover, 
and was early settled. It was dis- 
annexcd, and incorporated in July, 
1764. 

Newington was among the set- 
tlements early exposed to the rava- 
ges of the Indians. In May, 1690, 
a party of Indians, under a saga- 
more of the name of Hoophood, at- 
tacked Fox i)oliit, destroyed sever- 
al houses, killed 14 persons, and 
took 6 prisoners. They were im- 
mediately jiursued by the inhal)it- 
ants, who recovered some of the 
captives and a part of the plunder, 
after a severe action, in which 
Hoophood was wounded. 

Newington is 42 miles E. S. E. 
from Concord, and 5 W. from Ports- 
mouth. Population, 1830, 549. 



Ke^v Ixiswicli, JV. II. 

Hillsborough co. This town is 
.50 mites S. S. W. from Concord, 70 
W. S. W. from Portsmouth, and 50 
N. W. by W. from Boston. The 
town is watered by many rivulets, 
but principally by the Souhegaa 
river, which is formed by the junc- 
tion of two streams; the W. issu- 
ing from a small pond on the Pas- 
ture mountain, so called ; the S. 
from two ponds in Ashburnham, 
Mass., near the base of AVatatick 
bill. Over this river is a stone 
bridge, built in 1S17. It is 156 feet 
long, 22 feet wide and 42 feet high, 
resting on a single arch of split 
stone ; cost $3,500. The lirst cot- 
ton factory in the state was built in 
this town, in 1S03. There are now 
4 cotton factoiies, and in other re- 
spects New Ipswich has become an 
important manufacturing town. — 
Pratt's and Hoar's ponds contain 
about 50 acres each. Here is line 
pasture land, and under cultivation, 
Indian corn, rye, oats, barley, pota- 
toes, beans, turnips, &.c., are pro- 
duced in abundance. 

The New Ipswich academy was 
incorporated June IS, 17S9. Its 
funds are large. 

The principal village is in the 
centre of the (own, in a pleasant 
and fertile valley. Many of the 
dwelling-houses are of brick, and 
are elegant in appearance. 

New Ipswich was first settled 
prior to 1749, and was incorporated 
by charter, Sei)t. 9, 1762. 

The first minister was the Rev. 
Stephen Farrar, a native of Lin- 
coln, Mass., where be was born 
Oct. 22, 173S. He was ordained 
Oct. 22, 1760; died June 23, 1809, 
aged 71. 

New Ipswich has produced ma- 
ny who have become eminent as 
patriots, merclumts, and men of 
science. Population, 1830, 1,673. 

New lanierick, 9Ie. 

Washington co. In 1837, this 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



town was incorporated ; it then liail 
124 inhabitants and produced 1,780 
bushels of wlieat. See " Down 
East." 

New liontlon, N. H. 

Merrimack co. It is 30 miles W. 
N. W. from Concord, and 12 E. 
from Newport. Population, 1S30, 
913. Lake Sunapee separates tliis 
town from VVendell, and is the 
principal source of Sugar river. — 
There are three considerable ponds. 
Little Sunapee pond, 1 1-2 miles in 
length and 3-4 of a mile in width, 
lies in the W. part, and empties its 
waters into lake Sunapee. Har- 
vey's and Messer's ponds, near the 
centre of the town, are the princi- 
pal sources of Warner river. They 
are about a mile in length and 3-4 
of a mile in breadth, and are sepa- 
rated by a bog, many parts of which 
rise and fall with the water. Pleas- 
ant pond, in the N. part of New 
London, is nearly 2 miles long and 
1 wide. The settlements of New 
London are formed principally on 
three large swells of land. The 
soil is deep and generally good. — 
In the N. part are several eleva- 
tions. In some parts the land is 
rocky, but there is little not capable 
of cultivation. New London was 
incorporated in 1779. Its first name 
was Dantzick. 

The damage sustained by the in- 
habitants of this town, by the vio- 
lent whirlwind of Sept. 9, 1821, was 
estimated at $9,000. A large rock 
lying out of the gi-ound, 100 feet 
long, 50 wide and 20 high, was 
rent into two pieces, and thrown 
about 20 feet asunder. 

New liOiidon County, Ct. 

JVeio London and JVorwich are 
the county towns. New London 
county is bounded N. by Windham, 
Tolland and Hartford counties, E. 
by Windham county and the state of 
Rhode Island, S. by Long Island 
Sound, and W.by the county of Mid- 
dlesex. Its average length from E. 



to W". averages about 2G miles, and 
it has a medium breadth of about 20 
miles. This county possesses supe- 
rior maritime advantages, having an 
extensive border on Long Island 
Sound, which attbrds numerous bays, 
inlets and harbors. Excepting a small 
section, principally in the town of 
Lyme, no portion of the county can 
be considered as mountainous, but it 
is generally hilly and elevated, and 
comprises a small proportion of allu- 
vial. The hills and elevated tracts 
are considerably rough and stony. 
The lands in general are not adapted 
to grain culture, although upon the 
intervales and other tracts Indian 
corn is raised to advantage, and to a 
considerable extent. The princi- 
pal agricultural interests depend 
very much upon grazing. The wa- 
ters of the county are abundant and 
valuable. On the south it is washed 
more than thirty miles by Long Isl- 
and Sound, part of its western bor- 
der by Connecticut river, and the 
interior of the county is watered and 
fertilized by the Thames and its 
branches. The fishing business is 
more extensively carried on in this 
county than in any other section of 
the state, and is an important branch 
of industry. The manufacturing 
business is carried on to consider- 
able extent in the northern part of 
the county, and is increasing. 

In 1837, this county contained 
41,.387 sheep. Population, in 1820, 
35,943 ; 1830, 42,201 : 81 inhabit- 
ants to a square mile. The tonnage 
of the district of New London, in 
1837, was 41,626 tons. 

New liOndon, Ct> 

One of the shire towns of New 
London county. The first English 
settlement in New London com- 
menced in 1646. It is situated on 
the west bank of the river Thames. 
In its territorial limits it is much 
the smallest of any town in the 
state, being about 4 miles in lengUi 
from north to south, and averages 
about 3-4 of a mile in breadth. — 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



The citj' of New London is situated 
3 miles IVoin Long Ishind Sound, 
and is a i)ort of entry. It is 12 
miles southeast from Hartford, 13 
soutli fiom Norwich, and 53 east 
from New Haven. Population, in 
1S30, 4,356. Lon. 72° 9' W., lat. 
41° 0' 25" N. The city is princi- 
pally huilt on a declivity, which 
descends to the east and south. On 
the summit of the hi<;h ground, 
hack of the most populous part of 
the cit}', the observer has a fine 
prospect of the surroundino; coun- 
try. The city is irregularly laid out, 
owing to the nature of the ground 
on which it is huilt, being much 
incumbered with granite rocks. — 
The houses ar-e not so handsome in 
their outward appearance, as might 
be reasonably expected, considering 
the wealth of (he inhabitants. In 
the course of a few years past, how- 
ever, a spirit of improvement in this 
respect has taken place, and many 
buildings have been erected which 
are elegant in their appearance. 
Some of the streets have IJeen strait- 
ened and leveled, by blasting the 
granite rocks with which they were 
disfigured. These rocks aftcii-d an 
excellent material for the construc- 
tion of buildings, and it is believed 
that no city in this country has the 
advantages of New London, in this 
particular, where the materials for 
electing houses can be found in 
their streets. The harbor is one of 
the best in the United States, being 
large, safe, and commodious, hav- 
ing five fathoms of water. It is 3 
miles long, and rarely obst;-ucted 
with ice. During the extreuie cold 
in January. 1835, while tlic navi- 
gation of the harbor of New York 
was closed by the ice, the harboi- of 
New London remained open and 
unobstructed. 

From the excellent maritime lo- 
cation of New London, the naviga- 
tion, commercial and fishing busi- 
ness, has ever been the piiucipal 
pursuit of the inhabitants. Their 
line harbor has served in a srreat 



degree as tlie port of Connecticut 
river, the impediments in which 
freciuentiy prevent its being naviga- 
ble for large vessels fully laden. The 
whale fisherj' and sealing business is 
an important branch of commerce. 
About a million of dollars is devot- 
ed to its prosecution. In 1834, up- 
wards of tliiity ships and 900 men 
and l)oys were employed in this 
business. 

The city is defended by two forts, 
Fort Trumbull and Fort Griswold. 
Fort Trumbull stands on the New 
London side of the Thames, about 
a mile below the city. It is situa- 
ted on the rocky extremity of a pen- 
insula extending eastward into the 
river. This fort is a station for 
United States soldiers. Fort Gris- 
wold is on the E. side of the Thames, 
on a commanding eminence oppo- 
site the city, in the town of Gio- 
ton. 

New London has been rendered 
conspicuous for its sufferings during 
the revolutionary war, and the the- 
atre of hostile operations. On the 
6th of September, 17S1, a large 
proportion of tliis town was laid in 
ashes by Benedict Arnold. The 
following account of this transaction 
is taken from the Connecticut Ga- 
zette, printed at New London, Sept. 
7, 1781. 

" About daybreak on Thursday 
morning last, 24 sail of the enemy's 
shipping appeared to the westward 
of this hai'bor, which by many were 
supposed to be a plundering party 
after stock ; alarm guns were imme- 
diately fired, but the discharge of 
cannon in the harbor lias become §b 
frequent of late, that they answer- 
ed little or no purpose. The defence- 
less state of the fortifications and 
the town are obvious to our readers; 
a few of the inhabitants, who were 
equipped, advanced towards the 
place where the enemy were 
thought likely to make their land- 
ing, and manuuvrcdon the heights 
adjacent, until the enemy about 9 
o'clock landed in two divisions, and 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



about 800 men each, one of them 
at Brown's farm, near the light- 
house, tlie other at Groton Point : 
the division that landed near the 
light-house marched up the road, 
keeping up large flanking parties, 
who were attacked in different pla- 
ces on their march by the inhabit- 
ants, who had spirit and resolution 
to oppose their pi'ogress. The 
main body of the enemy proceeded 
to the town, and set fire to the 
stores on the beach, and immediate- 
ly after to the dwelling-houses lying 
on the Mill Cove. The scattered 
fire of our little parties, unsupported 
by our neighbors more distant, gall- 
ed them so that tliey soon began to 
retire, setting lire promiscuously on 
their way. The fire from tlie stores 
communicated to the shipping that 
lay at the wharves, and a number 
were burnt ; others swung to sin- 
gle fast, and remained unhurt. 

" At 4 oclock, they began to quit 
the town with great precipitation, 
and were pursued by our brave cit- 
zens with the spirit and ardor of vet- 
erans, and driven on board their 
boats. Five of the enemy were 
killed, and about twenty wounded ; 
among the latter is a Hessian cap- 
tain, who is a prisoner, as arc seven 
others. We lost four killed and ten 
or twelve wounded, some mortally. 

" The most valuable part of the 
town is reduced to ashes, and all 
the stores. Fort Trumbull, not be- 
ing tenable on the land side, was 
evacuated as the enemy advanced, 
and the few men in it crossed the 
river to Fort Griswold, on Groton 
Hill, which was soon after invested 
by the division that landed at the 
point. The fort having in it only 
about 120 men, chiefly militia hast- 
ily collected, they defended it with 
the greatest resolution and bravery, 
and once repulsed the enemy : but 
the fort being out of repair, could 
not be defended by such a handful 
of men, though brave and deter- 
mined, against so superior a num- 
ber; and after having a number of 



their party killed and wounded, 
they found that further resistance 
would be in vain, and resigned the 
fort." See Groton, Ct. 

The following is the inscription 
on Bishop Seabury's monument : 

Here lyeth the body of Samufl 
Seabury, D. D. Bishop of Connecti- 
cut and Rhode Island, who departed 
from this transitory scene, February 
25th, Anno Domini, 17'JIJ, in the 68tli 
year of his age, and the ISth of his 
Episcopal consecration. 

Ingenious without pride, learned 
without pedantry, good without sever- 
ity, he was duly qualified to discharge 
tlie duties of the Christian and the 
Bishop. In the pulpit he enforced Re- 
ligion ; in his conduct he exemplified 
it. The poor he assisted with his char- 
ity ; the ignorant he blessed with his 
instruction. The friend of men, he 
ever designed their good ; the enemy 
of vice, he ever opposed it. Chris- 
tian ! dost thou aspire to liappiness ? 
Seabury has sliown the way that leads 
to it. 

"An epitaph on Captaine Richard 
Lord, deceased May 17, 1662. — 
^tatis SV8S 51. 

.... Bright starre of ovr chivallrie 

lies here 
To the state a covnsillovr fvll deare 
And to ye trvth a friend of svveete 

content 
To Hartford towne a silver ornament 
Who can deny to poore he was releife 
And in composing paroxyies he was 

cheife 
To marchantes as a patterne he might 

stand 
Adventring dangers new by sea and 

land." 

Ne«' Market, ST. H. 

Rockingham CO. It lies 36 miles 
S. E. from Concord, and 12 W. by 
S. from Portsmouth. Population, 
18.30, 2,013. 

Piscassick i-iver passes through 
tliis town into Durham. The Lam- 
prey river washes its N. E. hounti- 
ary, as does the Swamscot the S. 
E. The soil is good, and agricul- 
tural pursuits are here crowMU'd 
with much success. There are 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



several pleasant and tliiiving villa- 
ges, in which are large and valua- 
ble manufactures. 

New Market was orip:inally a 
part of Esetcr, and was detached 
and incorporated, 1727. 

Mrs. Fanny Sinitc, who died in 
this town Septenibor, 1819, was re- 
spected not only for her excellent 
<iaalitics, but the adventures of her 
youth. When 1.3 months old, she 
was taken by a party of Indians, 
cari-ied to Canada, and disposed of 
to the French — educated in a nun- 
nery, and after remaining l."5 years 
in captivity, was vedeenied and re- 
stored to her friends. 

Daniel Brackett recently died in 
this town. He weighed 560 lbs. 

Kew Marlboroug'li, Mass. 

Berkshire co. There is a large 
pond in this town, and a branch of 
Housatonick river. The surface is 
uneven, and the soil best adapted 
for grazing. It was incorporated in 
1759, and lies 135 miles S. W. by 
W. from Boston, and 20 S. by I-:, 
from Lenox. Population, in 1837, 
1,570. 

There arc two caverns in this 
town, containing stalactites. The 
manufactures consist of leather, 
boots, shoes, chairs, cabinet ware, 
and a variety of sawed lumber. — 
The products of the dairy are con- 
siderable, and about 1,600 sheep are 
pastured. 

Ke>v Milford, Ct. 

Litchfield CO. This township is 
Lilly and broken, several mountain- 
ous ridges extending through it. 
The soil is much diversified, and 
where susceptible of cultivation, it 
is generally good ; but on the whole 
more distinguished for gi-ain than 
grass. There are, however, large 
quantities of excellent meadow 
ground, but the pasturage is, on the 
whole, not abundant. It is essen- 
tially a faiming town. For some 
time after the white people come 
here, an Indian chief, or sachem, 

25 



named JVcrauhamaiig, had a pal- 
ace standing near the Great falls, 
where he resided. On the inner 
walls of this palace, (which were 
of bark with the smooth side in- 
wards,) were pictured every known 
species of beast, bird, fish and in- 
sect, from the largest to the small- 
est. This was said to have been 
done by artists whom a friendly 
prince at a great distance sent to 
him for that purpose, as Hiram did 
to Solomon. The town of New 
Milford was purchased of the Col- 
ony of Connecticut by acompanyof 
individuals chiefly belonging to Mil- 
ford, and was first settled in 1707. 
The first bridge that was ever built 
over the Housatonick river, from 
the sea to its source was built in this 
town in 1737. The village of New 
Milford is very handsome ; the 
streets are wide and well shaded. 
It lies 36 miles N. W. from New 
Haven, and IS S. W. from Litch- 
field. Population, 1830,3,979. The 
territory of this town is larger than 
any other in the state : it is 13 by 6 
1-2 miles. The town is well water- 
ed, and has some manufactures. 
There are large quantities of gran- 
ite ar.d marble, and the town pro- 
duces large quantities of grain and 
wool for market. 

IVe-\vport, Mc. 

Penobscot co. This is a fine farm- 
ing town, and watered by a large 
and beautiful pond which empties 
into Sebasticook river. It lies 56 
miles N. E. from Augusta and 24 
W. from Bangor. Population, 1837, 
1,088. ^^'heat crop same year, 5,173 
bushels. This town contains a pleas- 
ant village and some mills. 

Ne'ivport, N. H. 

Shire town, Sullivan county. Its 
centi-al situation and its water pow- 
er, together with the enterprising 
spirit of its inhabitants, has render- 
ed Newport a place of considerable 
business. It is 40 miles W.by N.from 
Concord, about 35 N. from Keeae, 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



and 14 E. S. E. from Windsor, Vt. 
Near the centre of the town, and 
the confluence of the E. and S. 
branches of Sugar river and the 
Croydon turnpike, is a handsome 
village. In general the soil is rich 
and productive. Sugar river flows 
through this town, and its three 
branches unite near the village, 
whence it passes tlirougli Claremont 
into the Connecticut. On the east- 
ern branch are situated, principally 
near the village, large and valuable 
manufacturing establishments. — 
There are other mills in different 
parts of the town. There are a 
few eminences, designated as Bald, 
Coitand East mountains, and Blue- 
berry hill. Newport was granted 
by charter in 1761. The lirst ef- 
fort towards a settlement was made 
in the fall of 17G3. The first set- 
tlers were principally from Kill- 
ingworth, Ct. This town is noted 
for its good schools and its various 
charitable societies. Population, 
1S30, 1,913. 

BJewyort, Vt. 

Orleans co. This town is sepa- 
rated from Derby by IVIempbrema- 
gog lake, and is watered by a branch 
of Missisque river. It lies 48 miles 
N. by E. from Montpelier, and 10 
N. from Irasburgh. Population, 
1830, 284. 

Xewport County, R. I. 

jSTewport is the chief town. This 
county comprises seven towns and 
a number of islands; but the most 
interesting section of it is the isl- 
and of Rhode Island, from which 
the state derives its name. This 
island is about 13 miles in length, 
and has a mean breadth of two miles 
and a half. 

The surface presents an interesting 
variety of moderate eminences and 
declivities, which render the scene- 
ry very pleasing. Valuable mine- 
rals are found on the island, and 
fossil coal, difficult of ignition, is 
found in large quantities. The 



soil of the island is very rich, and 
under the management of skilful 
farmers is made to produce in great 
abundance all the varieties of grains, 
grasses, vegetables, fi-uits and flow- 
ers common to its latitude. 

It is remarkable that not only this 
island, but the county generally, 
should be so fertile. The poorest 
lands in New England are gener- 
ally on the sea board ; but as it re- 
gards this county, few sections of 
the inteiior present a better soil. 

From the earliest settlement of 
the country, this county has been 
engaged in commerce and the fish- 
ery. These interests are now in a 
flourishing condition ; and manu- 
facturing establishments are in- 
creasing, by the aid of steam pow- 
er. In 1837 there were 37,340 
sheep in the county. 

Newport county is bound N. by 
Mount Hope bay, and Bristol coun- 
ty, Mass. ; E. by said county of 
Bristol ; S. by the Atlantic ocean, 
and W. by Narraganset bay. Area, 
136 square miles. Population, 1820, 
15,771 ; 1830, 16, -535. Population 
to a square mile, 122. 

Keivport, R. I. 

Chief town of Newport county, 
and one of the seats of the state leg- 
islature. It is in N. latitude 41° 28' 
20", and W. longitude 71° 21' 14" : 
5 miles from the sea, 30 miles S. 
by E. from Providence, 70 S. S. W. 
from Boston, and 153 from New 
York, by water. The township lies 
in an irregular and somewhat of a 
semicircular foi'in, about 6 miles in 
length and 1 in breadth. In com- 
rton with the whole island of Rhode 
Island, on which Newport is situa- 
ted, the soil is remarkably fertile 
and under eood cultivation. The 
surface is undulating, presenting a 
great variety of delightful scenery. 
The waters of Narraganset bay at 
this place are unrivalled for beauty 
and convenience. The harbor ol 
Newport is considered one of the 
best on the coast of America : it 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



has sufficient depth of water for the 
largest class of vessels, is exceed- 
ingly easy of access from the ocean, 
and suHicieiitly capacious to con- 
tain whole noet><. This liaibor is 
admirably defended by forts Wol- 
cott, Green and Adams, and will 
probably soon become a naval de- 
pot. Newport was first settled by 
William Codington and his associates 
in Id'SS. The growth of the town 
was so rapid for the lirst hundred 
years, that in 1738 there were 7 
worshipping assemblies, and 100 sail 
of vessels belonged to the port. 

Newport suffered severely dur- 
ing the revolutionary war, and was 
for a long time in possession of the 
enemy. After tlie war it revived 
again, but the more favorable loca- 
tion of Providence for an interior 
commerce, deprived it of a large 
portion of its original business. 

Newport however retains its 
former character for foreign com- 
merce and the fishery. A number 
of vessels are now engaged in the 
whaling business, and manufactur- 
ing establishments have recentlj- 
been put into operation by steam 
power, which promise success. — 
Ship and boat building and the man- 
ufacture of cordage are carried on 
extensively. The domestic fishe- 
ry is to Newport an important re- 
sourse. There is probably no place 
in the world where a greater varie- 
ty of fish, or of a better quality, are 
found. About sixty different kinds, 
comprising almost every species of 
fin and shell fish, fit for the ta- 
ble, are taken in great abundance 
around the shores of Narraganset. 
The tonnage of the district of New- 
port, in 1837, was 11,498 tons. 

The compact part of the town is 
built on a beautiful site, facing the 
harbor in a southeasterly direction. 
The main street extends more than 
a mile in length. The buildings 
on this and other streets and on 
Washington square are neatly built, 
and some of them are very hand- 
some The marks of age which 



some of these buildings bear, with 
the excellent state of preservation 
in which they appear, give them a 
grace not found in many of those 
of more modern construction. 

Although tliis ancient town has 
passed through many vicissitudes 
and changes of fortune, still it con- 
tinues to advance in the number of 
its people. Population, in 1820, 
7,319; 1830, 8,010. 

Newport is celebrated for its 
beauty and the salubrity of its cli- 
mate. From these circumstances, 
and from the numerous inviting 
objects which surround it, it has 
become a favorite resort for visitors 
from warmer climates ; and in no 
place can the summer season be 
more enjoyed tlian amid the charms 
of Newport. 

Oliver Hazzard Perry, the 
victor on Lake Erie, Sept. 10, 1813, 
was born at Newport, in 1785. — 
He died in the West Indies, in 1820. 
A monument is erected to his mem- 
ory. 

IVe-w Portland, Me. 

Franklin co. This town is finely 
watered by two branches of Seven 
Mile brook. This is one of the 
finest farming towns in the coun- 
ty. It produced, in 1837, 10,451 
bushels of wheat. Population, 
same year, 1,476. This town has a 
pleasant village, a number of saw 
mills and other manufactories. It 
lies 48 miles N. N. W. from Augus- 
ta, and 18 N. by E. from Farming- 
ton. Incorporated, 1808. 

Ne^vl•y, Me. 

Oxford CO. A branch of Andros- 
coggin river waters this town, and 
affords it good mill privileges. It 
lies 63 miles W. from Augusta, and 
25 N. W. from Paris. Population, 
1837, 412. Incorporated, 1805. 

Ne-iv Salem, Mass. 

Franklin co. This town is bound- 
ed N. by Miller's river, and has a 
good water power. It lies 74 miles 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



\V. N. W. from Boston, and 17 E. 
S. E. from Greeniield. This is a 
pleasant town of elevated surface, 
and good soil for grazing. Popula- 
tion, 1837, 1,255. The manufac- 
tures of the town, consist of palm- 
leaf hats, boots, shoes, leather, 
straw bonnets, and ploughs. In- 
corporated, 175-3. 

'Sew Sliarou, Me. 

Franklin, co. This town is water- 
ed on the northwest side by Sandy 
river, and is bounded south by Vi- 
enna. The soil is admirably adapt- 
ed to agricultural purposes. Popu- 
lation, 1837, 1,771. Wheat crop, 
same year, 8,132 bushels. It lies 
26 miles N. W. from Augusta. In- 
corporated, 1794. 

IVeTV Slioreliain, R. I. 

Newport co. This town com- 
prises the island of Block Island. 
The island lies in the open sea, 
about 14 miles S. S. W. from Judith 
Point, and 13 N. E. from IMontauk 
Point, on Long Island, N. Y. It is 
about 8 miles in length, and varies 
from 2 to 4 miles in width. It has 
several ponds, which cover about a 
seventh part of the island. The 
surface of the town is uneven ; in 
sojne parts elevated. The soil is a 
sandy, gravelly loam, and quite 
productive. This island was once 
famous for its cattle and good dai- 
ries. The people are mostly fish- 
ermen : they have no harbor, and 
peat is their only fuel. Population, 
1830, 1,185. Incorporated, 1672. 
Its Indian name was Manisses. 

Ne'wtoii, Mass. 

Middlesex co. A very beauti- 
ful, agricultural and manufacturing 
town, the JS'oncoitinn of the In- 
dians, 7 miles W. by S. from Boston, 
12 S. E. from Concord, and 7 N. 
from Dedham. Charles river wash- 
es the borders of this town 15 miles, 
and, by two falls of considerable ex- 
tent, affords it a great and valuable 
water power. Nine bridges cross 



Charles river in this town. The 
soil is generally very good, and 
highly cultivated. There are 2 
cotton, 1 woolen, and 5 paper 
mills in the town, and manufactures 
of nails, rolled iron, candles, vit- 
riol, barilla, chaises, harnesses, mo- 
rocco, leather, boots, shoes, ma- 
chinery, chairs, and cabinet ware ; 
the value of which, the year end- 
ing April 1, 1837, amounted to 
^815,872. Newton was incorpo- 
rated in 1691 ; it formerl}' com- 
prised the town of Cambridge, and 
is noted as the birth place and resi- 
dence of many distinguished men. 
Population, 1830, 2^^,377 ; 1837, 
3,037. A Theological Seminary 
was established in this town, in 
1825. See Register. 

KeAvtotviit, N. II., 

Rockingham co., lies 40 miles S. 
E. from Concord, and 27 S. S. W. 
from Portsmouth. Country pond 
lies in Newtown and Kingston, and 
two other small ponds connect by 
outlets with its waters. The soil 
produces good crops of grain or 
grass. Joseph Bartlett first settled 
in this town, in 1720. Bartlett was 
taken prisoner by the Indians at 
Haveihill, in 1708, and remained a 
captive in Canada about 4 years. 
Population, 1830, 510. 

]Vc%vto-»vii, Ct. 

Fairfield co. This town was in- 
coiporated in 1708. It is watered 
by Patatuck river, the Indian name 
of the place. It lies 25 miles W. 
N. W. from New Haven, 10 E. 
from Danbury, and 22 N. from Fair- 
field. Population, 1830, 3,100.— 
The surface of the town is hilly ; 
many of the eminences are exten- 
sive and continuous. The soil is 
principally a gravelly lonm, gener- 
ally fertile and productive. It is 
well adapted to the culture of grain, 
and is also favorable for fruit, there 
being many valuable orchards in the 
town. The borough of Newtown 
is beautifully situated on high 



>CEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



ground ; it commands an extensive 
prospect, and coulains some hand- 
some buiidino;s. 

The tloiirishing village of Sandy 
Hook is situated about 1 1-2 miles 
N. E. of the central part of New- 
town, at the foot of a rocky ''niin- 
ence or bluff, from the top of which 
is a tine prospect of the surround- 
ing country. A fine mill stream 
(the Patatuck) runs in a northerly 
course through the village, at the 
base of the cliff', which rises almost 
perpendicular to the height of IfiO 
i'eet. Near a cotton factory, at the 
northern extremity of the village, 
some traces of coal have been dis- 
covered. The village contained, in 
1834, 1 cotton, 1 hat, 1 comb and 
2 woolen factories. There was also 
1 machine shop, and 1 establish- 
ment for working brass. 

Neiv Vineyard, Ble. 

Franklin co. This town is wa- 
tered by a branch of Seven Rlile 
brook. The surface of the fov.'n is 
uneven, but the soil, generally, is 
productive. It produced, in 1S.37, 
7,063 bushels of wheat. Popula- 
tion, same year, 870. Incorporat- 
ed, 1802. It lies 40 miles N. W. 
from Augusta, and 8 N. by E. from 
Farmington. 

Nobleborough, Mc. 

Lincoln co. This town lies on 
the east side of the upper waters 
of Damariscotta river. It is a 
place of considerable trade. Many 
ships are built here, and a large 
number of vessels are employed in 
the coasting trade. The soil of the 
town is generally good, and consid- 
erable attention is paid by the in- 
habitants to agricultural pursuits. 
It lies 38 miles S. E. from Augusta, 
and 11 E. from Wiscasset. Popula- 
tion, 1837, 1,999. Incor., 1788. 

Ko-Itlans-Liaiid, Slass. 

Dukes CO. A ledge of rocks, 
the most southern part of the state. 
It lies 7 miles S. from Gay Head. 



Norfolk County, Masg. 

Chief town, Dedham. This 
county is bounded N. E. by Boston 
harbor, N. by SufTolk county, W. 
by the S. E. corner of Worcester 
county, S. by the N. E. corner of 
the state of Rhode Island, and S. 
S. E. and E. by the counties of Bris- 
tol and Plymouth. Area, about 
400 square miles. Population, in 
1820, 36,4.52; in 1830, 41,901 ; in 
1837, 50,399. Taken from Suffolk 
county in 1793. 

This county has a maritime coast 
on Boston harbor of about 12 miles, 
which is indented with many small 
bays and navigable rivers. Its sur- 
face is uneven, and in some parts 
hilly. Its soil is generally strong 
and rocky. Much of the dark col- 
ored granite, or sicnite, is found 
here. A large part of Norfolk 
county, particularly those towns 
near Boston, is under a high state 
of cultivation, and afTords fruits and 
vegetables in great abundance. — 
The proximity of tliis county to 
the capital gives it many facilities ; 
and tlie towns in this, and in the 
county of Middlesex, that border 
on Boston harbor, may be called the 
Gardens of Boston. It contains 
22 towns, and 126 inhabitants to a 
square mile. The Charles, Nepon- 
set, and Manatiquot are its chief 
rivers. 

In 1837, this county contained 
2,0.54 sheep. The value of the 
manufactures in the county, the 
year ending April 1, 1837, was 
.«!6,466,010. The value of the 
fishery, the same year, was $244,- 
927. 

Norfolk:, Ct. 

Litchfield co. The settlement 
of Norfolk began in 1744. It lies 
35 miles W. N. W. from Hartford, 
and 17 N. from Litchfield. Popu- 
lation, 1830, 1,485. 

This town is elevated and moun- 
tainous. The soil is a primitive, 
gravelly loam, generally cold and 
stony, but has considerable depth, 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



and affords good grazing. Former- 
ly large quantities of sugar were 
made from the maple : more than 
20,000 lbs. have been manufactured 
in a single season ; but since tlie 
land has been cleared by progres- 
sive settlements, and in consequence 
of the destruction of the maple 
trees by some tornadoes, the busi- 
ness has greatly declined. The 
dairy business comprises the prin- 
cipal interests of the town. A 
stream, called Blackberry river, 
runs near the centre of the place, 
and a little westward of the con- 
gregational cliurch falls overa ledge 
of rocks 30 feet in height. This is 
an excellent site for mills, of which 
there are several near this spot. 

There is a handsome village, with 
an open square or green in front of 
the church, which is uncommonly 
neat and beautiful in its appearance. 
About half a mile north is another 
village, in which are two woolen 
and three scythe factories. 

Bforridge'ivoclt, Me. 

Chief town of Somerset co. This 
town is situated on both sides of 
the Kennebec river, 28 miles N. 
from Augusta. Incorpoi-ated, 1788. 
Population, 1S37, 1,955. Its sur- 
face is diversified with hills of a 
moderate elevation, the soil various, 
but generally good and well culti- 
vated. Wheat'crop, 1837, 10,299 
bushels. This town was formerly 
the site of the celebrated tribe of 
Norridgewock Indians. Their vil- 
lage was situated at the foot of Nor- 
ridgewock falls, in the N. W. part 
of the town, and the border of Mad- 
ison. The tribe had a church, the 
bell of which was dug up a few 
years since, and placed in the cabi- 
net at Bowdoin college. The tiibe 
was destroyed by a party of IGS 
men, sent out from Massachusetts 
for that puipose, commanded by 
Capt. Moulton, on the afternoon of 
August 23, 1724. Among the kill- 
ed was the noted Jesuit missiona- 
ry, Ralle. A monument was erect- 



ed the 23d of August, 1833, by 
Bishop Fenwick, to iiis memory. — 
It is a plain granite pyramidal shaft, 
standing on a square base of the 
same material, having the follow- 
ing inscription : — 

Sebastianus Rasles natione Gal- 
luse Societate Jesu missionius, per 
aliquot annos Illinois et Huronibus 
primum evangelanus, deinde per 
34 annos Abenaquis, fide et chari- 
tate Christi verus Apostolus, pericu- 
lus armorum intenitus se pro suis 
oribus mori paratum soepius testifi- 
cans, inter arma et cocdes ac PagL 
Nanarantsouak Norridgewock, et 
Ecclesiae suae minas, hoc in ipso 
loco, cecidit tandem optimus pastor, 
die 23 Augusti, A. D. 1724, ipsi et 
filius in Christo defunctis Monu- 
mentum hoc posuit Benidictus Fen- 
wick, Espiscopus Bostoniensis dedi- 
cavilque 23 Augusti, A. D. 1833. 
A. M. D. G. 

Norridgewock village is situated 
on the north side of the river, di- 
rectly in the bend, five miles west 
of Skovvhegan falls. It is one of 
the most pleasant and delightful 
villages, especiallj' in the summer, 
in the state. The main street is 
lined with ornamental trees, some 
of them venerable for age and mag- 
nitude, extending their long arms 
quite across the street, forming a 
beautiful avenue from east to west. 
On the south side of the river, con- 
nected by a bridge, is a pleasant and 
rapidly increasing village. 

The public buildings consist of 
a church and court house, on the 
north side of the river, and on the 
south, a female academy, and a free 
church at "Oak Hill," about 5 
miles from the village. 

This section of country is remark- 
able for its luxuriant growth of the 
white pine. A few years since, one 
of these trees was cut for a canoe. 
Its length was 154 feet and measur- 
ed 4 1-2 feet in diameter. 

IVortli Hampton, ]V. H., 

Rockingham co., formerly con- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



stituting the parish called JVorth 
Hill, in Hampton, lies on the sea 
coast 50 miles S. E. by E. from 
Concord, and 9 S. by W. Ironi Ports- 
mouth. 

Little river rises in the low 
grounds in the north part of the 
town, and after running- southeast 
one or two miles, takes an east 
course, falling into the sea between 
Little Boar's head, in this town and 
Great Boar's head, in Hampton. 
Winnicut river rises near the cen- 
tre of the town, and passes north- 
west into Great bay. In 1742, the 
town was incorporated. Population, 
1830, 767. 

Northampton, Mass. 

Chief town of Hampshire co. This 
is a very beautiful town, delightful- 
ly situated on the west bank of Con- 
necticut river, and united (o Hadlcy 
by a bridge. Since the first settle- 
ments on the Connecticut basin, 
this town has been an important 
point of attraction. This was the 
third town settled on Connecticut 
river in this state. Its Indian name 
•was A'onatuck. The soil of the 
town is alluvial and its products ex- 
uberant. Both before and since the 
division of the old county into three, 
this place has iicen the seat of jus- 
tice. The buildings are handsome, 
and the most im]>oi-tant county offi- 
ces are ^re proof. A fine stream 
passes through the centre of the 
town, possessing a good water pow- 
er, on which are manufactories and 
mills of various kinds. 

The manufactures of Northamp- 
ton consist of woolen and silk goods, 
boots, shoes, leather, paper, brooms, 
chairs, iron, tin, and cabinet wares, 
&c. ; total value the j'ear ending 
April 1, 1837, about $350,000. The 
manufacture of sewing silk, rib- 
bons, &.C., is on a lai'ge scale, and 
the most flourishing establishment 
of the kind in this country. In 
1837, there were 3750 sheep shear- 
ed in the town ; the value of the 
wool was $7,075. 



This place has considerable river 
and inland commerce, which will 
be increased by the Hampshire and 
Hampden canal, which meets the 
Connecticut river here and termi- 
nates at New Haven. 

This town was incorporated, in 
1654 ; population, 1820, 2,854, and in 
1S37, 3,576. It is 91 miles W. from 
Boston, 67 E. from Albany, 39 N. 
from Hartford, 22 S.from Gi-eenfield, 
17N.by W. from Springfield, and 
376 from Washington. 

There are many institutions of a 
literarj' and religious character in 
this town, and its schools are of the 
first order. The country around 
the town is enchanting, and those 
who visit Mount Holyoke, 830 feet 
above the river, on the east side, or 
Mount Tom, 1,200 feet above the 
river, on the west side, will find 
a wonderful vaiiety of landscape 
scenery, probably unsurpassed in 
beauty by any in the New Eng- 
land States. 

North Berivick, Me. 

York CO. This town was incor- 
porated in 1831, and was taken from 
the east side of Berwick. It com- 
prises a fine tract of land ; it is well 
watered and very pleasant. Popu- 
lation, 18.37, 1,493. It lies 91 miles 
S. W. from Augusta, and 13 N. W. 
from York. 

IN'orthborough, Mass. 

Worcester CO. This is a pleasant 
farming town, of good soil, and wa- 
tered by Assabet river. It was in- 
corporated in 1766, and lies 32 miles 
W. from Boston, and 10 N. E. from 
Worcester. Population, 1830, 994 
—1837, 1,224. 

The manufactures of the town 
consist of cotton goods, boots, shoes, 
leather, children's wagons, Stc; an- 
nual amount about .$75,000. 

North Branford, Ct. 

New Haven co. This tow'n was 
incorporated in 1831, and was taken 
from Branford. A range of moun- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



tains from the southwest to north- 
east passes through the central part 
of the town. The inhabitants are 
generally substantial farmers, and 
propertj' is very equally distributed. 
The face of the township is gene- 
rally hilly, but the soil is strong and 
fertile. It lies 9 miles E. from 
New Haven. Population, 1832, 
1,100 

About a mile southeast of the 
Northfordchurch,on Tetoket moun- 
tain, there is the appearance of hav- 
ing been, at some remote period, 
some violent convulsions in nature ; 
the rocks appear to have been rent 
asunder, and are thrown about in 
great disorder. Lead is said to have 
been found near this spot, a mass 
of it being discovered by a person 
who was hunting, at the tijne of 
the first settlement of the parish : 
he hung up a pair of buck's horns 
to designate the spot, but the place 
could not be found afterwards. 

JfortJitorirtge, Mass. 

Worcester co. The Blackstone 
river and canal pass through this 
pleasant manufacturing and agri- 
cultural town. It has some excel- 
lent intervale land, and the soil of 
the uplands produces grass, grain, 
and vegetables in abundance. The 
river here is beautiful, and produces 
a great hydraulic power. The 
manufactures of the town consist 
of cotton and woolen goods, cotton 
machinery, boots, shoes, &c. : val- 
ue, the year ending April 1, 1S37, 
$231,000. 

Northbridge lies 35 miles S. W. 
by W. from Boston, and 13 S. E. 
from Worcester. Incorporated, 
1772. Population. 1S30, 1,053; 
1S37, 1,409. 

North Bridge'watcr, RIass. 

Plymouth co. This town lies 20 
miles S. from Boston, 24 N. W. from 
Plymouth, and 10 S. S. W. from 
Weymouth Landing. Population, 
1830, 1,953; 1837, 2,701. It is 
well watered by Salisbury river 



and other small streams which emp- 
ty into the Taunton. The surface of 
the town is uneven, but the soil is 
of a good quality, particularly for 
grazing. Incorporated, 1821. 

The manufactures of the town 
consist of cotton goods, boots, shoes, 
hats, chairs, shoe tools, forks, hoes, 
cabinet and wooden wares, &c. : 
total amount, the year ending April 
1, 1337, ,$-236,700. 

We regret that this very pleas- 
ant town was not called Titicut 
or JVunketest, one of the Indian 
names of the ancient territory. 

This town was the first of the 
three Bridgewaters thathave sprung 
from Old Bridgewater, named after a 
celebrated English Duke. We can 
see no good cause for attaching a 
cardinal point of the compass to the 
name of any town, particularly one 
of foreign derivation, when some 
beautiful Indian name meets the ear 
on the bank of almost every stream. 
Had the noble Duke bequeathed to 
good old mother Bridgewater and 
her three handsome daughters, (as 
he did to the city of Manchester, )the 
perpetual privilege of obtaining 140 
pounds of coal ior four pence, iheve 
would appear some reason for per- 
petuating and extending the name. 

Some just remarks on the names 
of towns appeared in the Provi- 
dence Journal, which are worthy 
of repetition. 

" Indian Names. The new 
state of Michigan has passed one 
of the most sensible laws that was 
ever enacted. Its object is to pre- 
serve the noble and harmonious old 
Indian names, which have been giv- 
en to every river and lake and for- 
est and mountain in our country, 
and which, by a bad taste, have in 
many instances, been displaced by 
the hackneyed names of European 
cities, or of distinguished men. The 
law provides that no town shall be 
named after any other place or af- 
ter any man, without first ob- 
taining the consent of the Legisla- 
ture. The consequence is, that 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



Michigan is destitute of London, 
Paris and Amsterdam ; unlike licr 
sister states, she boasts neither 
Thebes, Palmyra, Carthage or Troy. 
No collection of log huts, with half 
a dozen grocery stores, has been 
honored with the appellation of Liv- 
erpool, nor has any embryo city, 
witii a college or an academy, re- 
ceived the appropriate name of 
Athens. She has no Moscow and 
Alorocco, in the same latitude ; and 
noEdinburgh and Alexandria within 
thirty miles of each other. Baby- 
lon, Sparta and Corinth, though they 
have been transplanted to other 
parts of the L'nion, are destined ne- 
ver to llourish on the soil of Mich- 
igan. No Franklin or Greene or 
JetTerson, no Washington, is to be 
found in her borders. On the con- 
trary, her rivers and lakes still re- 
tain the full, rich, swelling names 
which were bestowed upon theni by 
the red men of the forests, and her 
towns bear the names of the sturdy 
chiefs who once battled or hunted 
in their streets. Strange, when we 
have such a noble nomenclature as 
the Indians have left us, that we 
should copy from the worn out 
names of ancient cities, and which 
awake no feelings but ridicule, by 
the contrast between the old and the 
new. Mohawk, Seneca, Massasoit, 
Ontario, Erie, how infinitely supe- 
rior to Paris, London, Fishville, 
Buttertown, Bungtown, &.c. The 
feeling which piompts us to perpet- 
uate the names of our revolutionary 
hei-oes by naming towns after them, 
is liighly honorable ; but it should 
not be forgotten that frequent rep- 
etition (especially in cases where 
the town is utterly unworthy of its 
namesake) renders the name vulgar 
and ridiculous. It seems, that not 
content with driving the Indians 
from the soil, we are anxious to ob- 
literate every trace of their exist- 
ence. 

We are glad to see a better taste 
beginning to prevail upon this sub- 
ject, and we hope that the example 



of Michigan will be followed, if not 
by legal enactments, at least by the 
force of public opinion." 

Kortli Brooklield, Mass. 

Worcester co. This town is on 
elevated ground: it is of good soil, 
well cultivated, well watered and 
very pleasant. It has a fine fish 
pond, and lies 68 miles W. from 
Boston, and IS W.from Worcester: 
taken from Brookfield in 1802. 
Population, 1S30, 1,241 ; 1837, 1,509. 
The agricultural products sent to 
market are very considerable. The 
manufactures of the town consist 
of boots and shoes, woolen cloth, 
leather, &.C., the value of which for 
the year ending April 1,1837, was 
Sr»25,224 ; of which $470,316 was 
for boots and shoes. 

Kortlifield, Vt. 

Washington co. This town lies 
10 miles S. S. W. from Montpelier, 
and 3.5 E from Burlington. Popu- 
lation in 1830, 1,412. First settled, 
173.5. The principal stream in this 
town is Dog river, which runs 
through it in ?. northerly direction, 
and affords a great number of valu- 
able mill privileges. The surface 
is uneven, but the soil is generally 
good and easily cultivated. In the 
centre of the town is a neat, pleas- 
ant and flourishing village, contain- 
ing a tiumberof saw mills and other 
mechanical operations by water. . 

Korthfieltl, Me. 

Incorporated 1838. See " Down 
East." 

Nortlifield, N. II., 

Merrimack co., is bounded N. by 
Winnepisiogee river, and W. by 
the Merrimack. It is 14 miles N. 
from Concord, and 10 W. by S. of 
Gilmanton. The soil here is in 
some parts good — that of the best 
quality lies on the two ridges ex- 
tending through the town. Ches- 
nut pond lies in the east part of the 
town, and its waters flow into the 



NEW ENGLAXD GAZETTEER. 



Winnepisiogce three miles fiom its 
junction witli the Pemigewasset. — 
Sondogardy pond flows into the 
Merrimacli. Near Webster's falls, 
the Winnepisiogee falls into the 
Pemigewasset, and the united 
streams form the Merrimack river. 
The principal elevation, called Bean 
hill, separates the town from Can- 
terbury. Northfield formerly pos- 
sessed valuable water privileges on 
the Winnepisiogee river, but this 
portion of its territory is embraced 
by the new town of Franklin. — 
The first settlement was made here 
in 1760, by Benjamin Blanchard and 
others. A methodist church was 
formed here in 1S06. Incorporated 
June 19, 1780. Population, 1830, 
1,169. 

Ifortlifield, Mass. 

Franklin co. This is an interest- 
ing town, on both sides of Connec- 
ticut river. It was incorporated in 
167.3, and some years after desolated 
by the Indians. The inhabitants 
returned again in 16S5, but it was 
soon after destroyed a second time. 
In 171.3, it was again rebuilt. Fort 
Dummer was in the vicinity. This 
town was purchased of the Indians 
in 1687, for 200 fathoms of wampum 
and j£57 value of goods. Its Indian 
name was Squaivkeas- Most of the 
land in this town is excellent, and 
the village very pleasant : 28 miles 
below Walpole, N. H., 11 N. E. 
from Greenfield, and 83 N. W. by 
"W\ from Boston. Nortlifield produ- 
ces fine cattle, and considerable 
wool. The manufactures of the 
town consist of leather, boots, shoes, 
ploughs, chairs and cabinet ware. 
Population, 1837, 1,605. 

Nortli Haven, Ct. 

New Haven co. North Haven 
was taken from New Haven in 1786. 
The town lies on both sides of the 
Wallingford,or Quinnipiac river, and 
comprises the valley and a part of 
the bordering hills. The valley is 
partly rich intervale land, and more 



extensively sand ; covered with a 
thin stratum of loam ; light but 
warm. Near the northern line of 
the town it is so light as, in two or 
three places of small extent, to be 
blown into drifts. The soil of the 
liills is good, being a reddish loam. 

From the vicinity of this town to 
New Haven, and from its light and 
warm soil, which is favorable for 
early vegetation, there are various 
culinary vegetables, particularly 
peas, cultivated for the New Ha- 
ven market. But the most striking 
feature in the township, is the large 
and beautiful tract of salt meadows 
on both sides of ihe Quinnipiac. — 
These meadows produce large 
quantities of grass, which is mow- 
ed and stacked upon the land, from 
whence, when the ground is frozen 
sufficiently solid in the winter, it is 
removed. Upon the salt marsh the 
hay is salt; but on those meadows 
which are protected Jrom the salt 
water by means of dikes, the grass 
is fresh and of a better quality. — 
These are called dike marshes or 
meadows. The making of brick 
receives considerable attention in 
this town. Four and a half millions 
of them are manufactured annually, 
and principally sold in New Haven. 

The village is very pleasant, and 
was, for more than half a century, 
the residence of Dr. Trumbull, 
the celebrated historian of Connec- 
ticut. 

Ezra Stiles, D. D., president 
of Yale college, was born in this 
town, in 1727, and died in 1795. He 
delighted in preaching the gospel to 
the poor. Among the members of 
his church at Newport were seven 
negroes. These occasionally met 
in his study, when he instructed 
them, and falling on their knees to- 
gether he implored for them and for 
himself the blessing of that God 
with whom all distinction except- 
ing that of Christian excellence is 
as nothing. In the cause of civil 
and religious liberty. Dr. Stiles was 
an enthusiast. He contended, that 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



the right of conscience and private 
judgment was unalienable ; and 
that no exigencies of the Christian 
church could render it lawful to 
erect any body of men into a stand- 
ing judicatory over the churches. 
He engaged with zeal in the cause 
of his countr}'. He thought, that 
the thirtieth of January, which was 
observed by the E])iscopalians in 
commemoration of the uiai'tyrdom 
of Charles I, " ought to be celebrat- 
ed as an anniversary thanksgiving, 
that one nation on earth had so much 
fortitude and ])ublic justice, as to 
make a royal tyrant bow to the sove- 
reignty of the p-»ople." He was 
catholic in his sentiments, for his 
heart was open to receive all who 
loved the Lord Jesus in sinceritj'. 
He was con-picuous for his benev- 
olence, as well as for his learning 
and piety. He was a man of low 
stature, and of a small, though well 
proportioned form. His voice was 
clear and energetic. His counte- 
nance, especially in conversation, 
was expressive of benignity and 
mildness; but if occasion required, 
it became the index of majesty and 
authority. 

NortU Hero, Vt. 

Chief town. Grand Isle co. This 
town was granted to Ethan Allen 
and others in 1779, and the settle- 
ment commenced in 17.33. The 
British erected a block house here, 
at a place called Dutchman's Point, 
which was garrisoned and not given 
up till 1796. The soil of the town- 
ship is of an excellent quality, and 
produces grain of all kinds in abun- 
(I'anr-e. The county buildings are 
well situated, and ihe scenery about 
the village is very pleasant. It 
lies 57 miles N. W. from Montpe- 
lier, and 28 N. N. W. from Burling- 
ton. Population, 1830, 638. 

Noi'tU lOn^stou, R. I. 

Washington co. This is a wealthy 
township on the west side of Narra- 
ganset bay, 21 miles S. from Prov- 



idence, 10 N. W. from Newport, 
and 8 N. from South Kingston. — 
The surface of the town is uneven; 
the soil is a gravelly loam, well 
adapted for the culture of grain and 
vegetables, and the productions of 
the dairy. There are some forests 
in the town of good ship timber. — 
It is watered by several small 
streams which produce a good water 
power, on which are numerous man- 
ufacturing establishments. These 
streams afibrd bass and other fish in 
abundance. There is considerable 
navigation owned at North Kings- 
ton, which is employed in the coast- 
ing trade and fishery. 

WicUford village, in this town, 
is very pleasant and flourishing : it 
has a good harbor, and is a place of 
considerable trade. It lies about 2 
miles east of the Stonington rail- 
road. Pop. of the town, 1830, 3,037. 

Nortliport, Me. 

Waldo CO. This town is bounded 
on the east by Penobscot and Bel- 
fast bays. It is well watered by 
several ponds and small streams: the 
soil is good and productive. The 
navigable advantages of the place 
are great. Considerable ship build- 
ing is carried on here, and there is 
considerable trade in the lumber 
and coasting business. It lies 46 
miles E. from Augusta and 6 S. from 
Belfast. Population, 1837,1,107. 

Kortli Providence, R. I. 

Providence co. This ancient and 
wealthy town was a part of Provi- 
dence until 1767. Population, in 
1810, 1,758; 1820, 2,420; 1830, 
3,503. 

The surface of this town is une- 
ven, consisting of moderate eleva- 
tions and gentle declivities. The 
rocks are primitive and transition : 
some limestone is found. 

The prevailing soil is a gravelly 
loam, which is interspersed with 
tracts of sandy loam, and some of 
calcareous. The forests consist of 
oak, walnut and some pine ; and 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



the agricultural productions, of 
grass, hay, corn, some rye, pota- 
toes, vegetables and fruits, many of 
which are sent to Providence. 

The waters of the town consist 
of the Seekonk river, which wash- 
es its eastern border; the Wanas- 
quatucket, which forms its western 
boundary; and the Mashasuck, 
which intersects the interior of the 
township. These streams atlbrd 
numerous sites for hydraulic works, 
some of which are almost unrival- 
led. There are some valuable 
shad and herring fisheries in the 
Seekonk. 

This town is distinguished for its 
manufactures, particularly those of 
cotton, which form an important 
interest. The extent of this busi- 
ness, having concentrated a large 
capital, and an immense aggregate 
of industry, has, within the last fif- 
ty years, given rise to a large and 
flourishing village. The village of 
Pawtucketis situated in the nortli- 
east section of the town, four miles 
northeast from Providence, on the 
border of the Seekonk river ; its site 
being principally the declivity of a 
hill, and it is highly romantic and 
picturesque. The river here affords 
numerous natural sites for manu- 
facturing establishments, mills and 
hydraulic works of almost every 
description, which are scarcely ri- 
valled, and which are occupied to a 
great extent. The rapid march of 
manufacturing and mechanical in- 
dustry, which the short annals of 
this place disclose, has few exam- 
ples in our country, and has pi'O- 
duced one of the most considerable 
and flourishing manufacturing vil- 
lages in the United States. The 
river here forms the boundary line 
between Massachusetts and Rhode 
Island, and the village is built upon 
both sides of it; being partly in 
each state. That part of the village 
which is in this state is principally 
built on four streets; and compris- 
es a large number of handsome 
buildings. 



Besides the cotton business, there 
are in the town furnaces for cast- 
ing, slitting mills, anchor shops, 
cut nail factoiies, screw manufac- 
toiies, &.C. &c. See Pawtucket, 
Alass. 

North Stoniiigton, Ct. 

New London co. This town was 
taken from Stoniugton in 180S. It 
is watered by the Pawcatuck and 
its branches, which atlbrd good mill 
sites. The surface is uneven, hilly 
and abounding in granitic rocks. 
The soil is a gravelly loam, and 
generally productive of good pas- 
turage. Agriculture is the princi- 
pal employment of the inhabit- 
ants. 

Milltoivn is a pretty village with 
some trade : it lies 50 miles S. E. 
from Hartford, 13 N. E. from New 
London, and 7 N. by E. from Ston- 
iugton Borough. Population of the 
town in 1830, 2,840. 

Nortliiimljerland, N. H., 

In Coos county, on Connecticut 
river, is loOmiles N. from Concord, 
and 7 N. E. from Lancaster. The 
soil along the Connecticut is very 
productive, perfectly free from stone 
and gravel, and originally covered 
with a growth of butternut. A 
portion of the upland is also good, 
and covered with pine, spruce, fir, 
ash, maple, &c. Capo Horn, an 
abrupt mountain of 1,000 feet in 
heinht, lies near the centre of the 
town. Its north base is separated 
from the Connecticut by a narrow 
plain, and the upper Amonoosuck 
passes near its east base, as it falls 
into the Connecticut. Here the 
meadows are extensive, and are an- 
nually covered by the spring floods, 
presenting the appearance of an 
inland sea. At the falls in the Con- 
necticut, below the mouth of the 
Amonoosuck, a handsome bridge 
connects Northumberland with 
Guildhall, in Vermont. A dam is 
also thrown across the river at this 
place, at both ends of which are 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



pleasant villages and mills of vaii- 
ous kinds arc erected. Northum- 
berland was incorporated in 1779. 
First settled, 17G7. Population, 
18.30, 352. 

Near the river a small fort was 
erected dui-ing the revolutionary 
war, and placed in the command of 
Capt. Jeremiah Eames, afterwards 
well known for his usefulness, wit 
and pleasantry. 

Noitliwoocl, N. II. 

Rockingham co. There are a num- 
ber of ponds in tiiis town, and ex- 
cellent fishing. Suncook pond, 
750 rods long, 100 wide; Jenness' 
pond, 300 rods long, 150 wide ; Long 
pond, ahout 300 rods long. 50 wide ; 
Harvey's pond, 200 rods long, from 
40 to SO wide ; a part of Great Bow 
pond is also in this town, and a part 
of North i-iver pond ; Pleasant pond, 
and Litiie Eow pond. The north 
branch of Lamprey river has its 
rise in this town near Saddleback 
mountain, a high lidge between 
this town and Deei-field. On the E. 
side of this ridge are found crystals 
and crystalline spars of various col- 
ors and sizes. This town has an 
elevated site, and commands a distant 
and varied pi-o-^pect. The waters 
flowing from the farm of the late 
Jonathan Clarke, Esq., one of the 
first settlers, fall into three different 
rivers, the Suncook, Lamprey and 
Isingla'^s. The soil of this (own is 
generally moist, and well suited to 
grazing. Northwood U'as original- 
ly a part of Nottingham, and was 
settled in 1763. Northwood is 20 
miles E. from Concord, 20 N. \V. 
from Exeter, and about the same 
distance \V. from Dover. Popula- 
tion, 1><30, 1,342. 

KortU Tarinoiitli, Me. 

Cumberland co. Thisi-s a pleasant 
town on Casco bay, 10 miles N. fiom 
Poitland, and 42 S. E. from Augus- 
ta. Population, 1S37, 2,782. The 
town was first settled in IfilO. In 
1687 it was attacked by the Indians, 

20 



and deserted by the whites; and 
was not re-settled by them until 
1725. It was incorporated in 1713. 
About 4000 tons of navigation is 
owned here, employed in the trans- 
l)ortalion of lunjlier and the fishery. 
There is a fine sti-eam of water in 
the town, on Aviiich are a paper and 
saw mills, and other manufactories. 
The academy in North ^'armouth 
is well founded and is in a floui-ish- 
ing condition. See licgialer. 

IVoi'toii, 3Iass. 

Bristol CO. Norton was taken 
from Taunton in 177L It lies 30 
miles S. from Boston, 17 N. E. from 
Providence, and S N. AN', from 
Taunton. Population, 1837, 1,530. 
It is well watered byRumford, Co- 
ca.-iset and Canoe rivers, which 
empty into the Taunton. The manu- 
factures of the town consist of sheet 
eo|)per and coppei- bolts, cotton 
goods, boots, shoes, leather, iron 
eastings, ploughs, shuttles, straw 
bonnets and baskets: — total value, 
the year ending April 1, 1837, 
.'^397,7(53. 

V,'innicunnit pond, in this town, 
was a great resort for the Indians, 
some of whom resided in natural 
eaves, on its shores, and lived on fish 
and clams. 

Nor^alk, Ct. 

Fairfield co. This pleasant town 
lies on Long Island Sound, 32 mile« 
W. S. \V. from New Haven, 22 S. 
fi-orn Danbury, and 18 N. E. from 
New York." Population, 1830, 
3,792. 

Norwalk originally included part 
of the i)r(^sent towns ol New Cana- 
an and Wilton, and part of West- 
port. In the ancient leeord. the 
bounds are stated to be ■' from Nor- 
walk river to Sauhatuck river, from 
sea, Indian one day walk into the 
country." For this tract the fol- 
lowing articles were given, viz ; " S 
fathom wampum, 6 coats, 10 hatch- 
ets, 10 hoes, 10 knives, 10 scissors, 
10 jewsliarp-;. 10 fathom tobacco, 3 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



kettles, 3 hands-about, and 10 look- 
ing glasses." The following arti- 
cles were given to the Indians for 
the tract " from Norwalk river to 
Five mile river, from sea, Indian 
one day in country," viz. " 10 
fathom wampum, 3 hatchets, 3 hoes 
when ships come, 6 glasses, 12 to- 
bacco pipes, 3 knives, 10 diillers, 
10 needles." The name of Nor- 
walk is derived fi-om the above bar- 
gain, viz ; the northern bounds of 
the lands purchased were to extend 
from the sea one day's ''north walk" 
into the country. 

The soil in this town is excel- 
lent. The surface is uneven, be- 
ing pleasantly diversiiied with hills 
and valleys. On the border of the 
Sound the hills are generally mod- 
erate, and in the interior more ele- 
vated. 

" The valley which lies along 
Norwalk river, and in which the 
town is built, is beautiful. Few 
richer pro-pects of the same extent 
can be found than that which is 
presented from the neighboring em- 
inences of this ground : the town 
built in its bosom, with its cheerful 
spires ; the river llowing through 
the middle ; the farms on the bor- 
dering hills; tiie rich plain that 
skirts the Sound, and'a train of is- 
lands fronting the mouth of the riv- 
er, and extending eastward live or 
six miles ; together with an unlim- 
ited view of the Sound, and the 
Long Island shore." 

Norwalk contains two considera- 
ble and flourishing villages, Nor- 
walk Borough, and the village of 
Old Well. Norwalk Borough, (con- 
stituted as such in 1836,) is a vil- 
lage of upwards of 130 handsome 
buildings, and an extensive pottery. 
Norwalk is a place of considerable 
activity and business, being a com- 
mercial depot and market for the 
northern part of the county ; a con- 
siderable proportion of the staple 
products being brought here for 
sale, or to be freighted for New 
York. 



The village is built on both sides 
of a small river or creek, which is 
much contracted in width at the 
bridge which connects the two parts 
of the village, and the buildings on 
each side of the stream are so near 
each other, that the passage of the 
river from the north is not readily 
perceived at a short distance. Ves- 
sels drawing six feet of water can 
get up to tiie bridge in the most 
compact part of the village. 

The flourishing village of Old 
Well is situated about 1 1-2 miles 
south of the central part of Nor- 
walk Borough, on the west side of 
the creek. 

There are at present in this vil- 
lage six or seven hat factories, three 
potteries, and a carriage making 
establishment. This is the princi- 
pal landing place for steam-boats for 
Norwalk and the vicinity, there be- 
ing a daily line from and to New 
York. A boat every other day 
leaves Norwalk bridge for New 
York. 

There is a cotton factory and a 
factory for manufacturing carpets 
in the town. This establishment, 
called the " Patent Carpet Compa- 
ny," was commenced in 1834. — 
Their carpeting, of which they 
manufactui-e at this time about 200 
yards daily, is made without spin- 
ning or weaving, being made of 
felting, the material of which hats 
are composed. 

This town was burnt by the Brit- 
isli, under Tryon, on the 17th July, 
1779. Eighty dwelling houses, 2 
churches, 87 barns, 17 shops, 4 
mills, and 5 vessels were destroyed. 

Morivay, Me. 

Oxford CO. This is a fine town- 
ship, well watered by several 
streams and ponds. One of the 
ponds is large, — very handsome, 
and discharges its waters into Little 
Androscoggin river. Norway lies 
47 miles \V. by S. from Augusta, 
and is bounded on the E. by Paris. 
Incorporated, 1797. Population, 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



1S37, 1,T91. V.'heat crop, same 
year, 7,272 bushels. 

Nor%vicIi, Vt. 

Windsor co. This town lic« on 
the west side of Connecticut river, 
and is connected with Hanover, N. 
H. by a bridge. The surface of 
the town is uneven, but the soil is 
good for grain, pasturage and fruit. 
Oniponiponoosuck river and other 
streams water the town and aiToi-il 
it good mill seats. Fiist settled, 
1763. Population, 1S30, 2,31*5.— 
It lies 40 miles S. S. E. from Mont- 
pelier and 19 N. from Windsor. 

J\~oncich village is pleasantly 
situated on a plain, near Connecti- 
cut river, and contains a university 
and a number of handsome build- 
ings. See Register. 

Kor-\vich, Mass. 

Hampshire co. This mountain- 
ous town is watered by Westlicld 
river. The soil in many parts is 
good for grazing, and many sheep 
are kept here. There is a cotton 
mill in the town, and manufactures 
of leather, boots, shoes, axes, and 
spirits. It lies 108 miles W. from 
Boston, and 12 W. by S. from 
Northampton. Incorporated, 1773. 
Population, 1837, 714. 

Nonvlcb, Ct. 

One of the chief towns of New 
London county. Norwich city is 
situated at the head of navigation 
of Thames river, at the point of 
land formed by the junction of the 
Shetucket and Yantic rivers, wliose 
united waters constitute the Thames. 
The main part of the city is built 
on tlie southern declivity of a high 
and rocky liill : the houses are iiuilt 
in tiers, rising one above another. 
The city, as it is approached from 
the south, presents one of the most 
beautiful, interesting and romantic 
prospects in the state. The build- 
ings, which are mostly painted 
white, appear in full view for a con- 
siderable distance down the river ; 



these contrasted with the deep green 
foliage covering the rocky and ele- 
vated banks of the river, give a 
picturesque variety to the scene, 
forming on the water a delightful 
avenue to the city. There are in 
this city, (or as it was formerly call- 
ed, Chelsea or Norwich Landing,) 
a couit house and town hall. A 
high school for boys, and a female 
academy, in which the higher 
brandies of education are taught, 
have been in operation for a consid- 
erable time, and are in flourishing 
circumstances. About a mile east- 
ward of the landing is situated the 
flourishing village of Gi-eenville, at 
the eastern extremity of which a 
dam has been constructed across the 
Shetucket, which will, it is calculat- 
ed furnish sufficient water power to 
carry 60,000 spindles : four or five 
large factories, and perhaps 40 oi- 
.50 dwelling houses, are, or are 
about to be built. Among the fac- 
tories there is perhaps the most ex- 
tensive paper mill in the state, own- 
ed, by the Chelsea Manufacturing 
Company. There are also two oth- 
er paper mills near the falls, which 
do an extensive business. The first 
paper manufactured in Connecticut 
was made in this town by Col. 
Christopher Leffingwell. There 
are at, and near the falls, 9 or 10 
establishments for manufacturing 
purposes. Besides these, and those 
at Greenville, there are some more 
in other parts of the town. The 
principal manufactures are those of 
cotton, paper and woolens. Nor- 
wich city is 13 miles N. from New 
London, 38 S. E. from Hartford, 38 
S. W. from Providence, and 50 N. 
E. from New Haven. Population 
of Norwich, in 1830, was 5,179 ; of 
which 3,144 were in the city limits. 
Above the cove, which sets up 
about a mile from the river, " the 
bed of the river consists of a solid 
rock, having a perpendicular height 
of ten or twelve feet, over which 
the whole body of water falls in an 
entire sheet upon a bed of rocks 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



below. Tlie river liere is coinpress- 
ed into a very narrow channel, the 
banks consisting of solid rocks, and 
being bold and elevated. p"or a 
distance of 15 or 20 rods, the chan- 
nel or bed of the river has a gradual 
descent, is crooked and covered 
with pointed rocks. The I'ock, 
forming the bed of the river at the 
bottom of the perpendicular falls, 
is curiously excavated, some of the 
cavities being live or six feet deep, 
from the constant pouring of the 
sheet of water for a succession of 
ages." At the bottom of the falls 
there is the broad basin of the cove, 
where the enraged and agitated 
element resumes its usual smooth- 
ness and placidity, and the whole 
scenery about these falls is uncom- 
monly beautiful and picturesque. 

During the wars between Uncas 
and the Narragansets, Uncas was 
closely besieged in his fort near the 
Thames, until his provisions be- 
came nearly exhausted, and he with 
his men were on the point of per- 
ishing by famine or sword. Fortu- 
nately he found means of giving in- 
telligence to the scouts who had 
been sent out from Saybi-ook fort. — 
By his messengers, he represented 
the great danger the English would 
be in, were the Narragansets suf- 
fered to overpower the Mohegans. 
'■' Upon this intelligence, one 
Thomas Leffingwell, an ensign at 
Saybrook, an enterprising, bold 
man, loaded a canoe with beef, corn 
and peas, and under the cover of 
night paddled from Saybrook into 
the Thames, and had the address to 
get the whole into the fort. The 
enemy soon perceiving that Uncas 
was relieved, raised the siege. — 
For this service, Uncas gave Lef- 
fingwell a deed of a great part, if 
not the whole town of Noi-wich. — 
In June, 1659, Uncas with his two 
sons, Owaneko and Attawanhood, 
by a more formal and authentic deed, 
made over to said I.,effingwell, John 
Mason, Esq., the Rev. James Fitch 
and others, consisting of thirty-tive 



proprietors, the whole of Norwich, 
which is about nine miles square. 
The company at this time gave Un- 
cas and his sons about £70, as a 
further compensation for so large 
and fine a tract." 

IVottiiigliaiii, N. H., 

Rockingham co., is 25 miles E. 
S. E. from Concord, and 20 \V. from 
Portsmouth. Population, in 1S30, 
1,157. There are several ponds in 
this town, mosth' of small size. Lit- 
tle river and several other streams 
I'ise here ; and North river passes 
through the town. The soil is in 
many parts good, though the sur- 
face is rough and bioken. Sever- 
al mountains extend along the W. 
part of the town, forming parts of 
the I'ange called Blue Hills. 

A''otthighain Square is a pleas- 
ant village on an elevated site. Bog 
iron ore is found here in great quan- 
tities; audit is said inexhaustible 
masses of mountain ore exist in the 
mountains. Crystals and crystal- 
line spars are found here ; and also 
ochres in small quantities. Not- 
tingham was incorporated in 1722, 
and settled in 1727. 

Gen. Joseph Cilley entered 
the army of the revolution at its 
commencement and commanded the 
1st N. H. regiment. He was dis- 
tinguishcil for biavei-y and patriot- 
ism during the whole contest. 

Hon. Thomas Bartlett was 
an active revolutioiiary patriot ; one 
of the committee of safety ; Lt. Col. 
under Stark at the capture of Bur- 
goyne, and commanded a regiment 
at West Point in 17S0, when the 
treachery of Arnold betrayed that 
post. 

Gen. Henry Butler was an 
officer in the army of the revolu- 
tion, and Major General of militia. 
Descendants of these revolutionary 
worthies now live in the town. 

Niilliegan River, Vt. 

This river rises by several branch- 
es in the highlands, at the north 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



part of Essex county. These 
branches unite and fall into ihe 
Connecticut at Brunswick. This 
river is in some parts rapid ; in oth- 
ers, deep and sluggish. It waters 
about 120 square miles, and is fifty 
feet wide at its mouth. The head 
waters of this and of the river Clyde, 
pass N. into Memphremagog lake, 
and are near each other. This 
was formerly an Indian route be- 
tween Connecticut river and Cana- 
da. 

Oakliam, Mass. 

Worcester co. The surface of 
this town is uneven ; some of the 
lands which border on the streams 
that fall into Chickopee river are 
fertile. The highlands are not very 
good. There is a satinet factory in 
the town, and manufactures of 
straw bonnets, palm-leaf hats, leath- 
er, ploughs, boots and shoes. 

Oakham lies 60 miles W. from 
Boston, and 15 N. W. from Worces- 
ter. It was taken from Rutland in 
1762. Population, 1S37, 1,109. 

Oldtcwn, Me. 

Penobscot co. See Orono. 
01<lto-»rii Harljor, Mass. 
See EJgartowii. 

Olaiumou, Me. 
Penobscot co. Sec G-reenhiish. 
Ompomponoosuc River. Vt. 

This good mill stream is about 20 
miles in length : — it rises near the 
centre of the county of Orange, 
and falls into Connecticut river at 
Norwich. 

Oniou River, Vt. 

This is one of the largest and 
most valuable rivers in the state. — 
It is about 70 miles in length, and in 
its course fertilizes large tracts of 
land and produces a great hydraulic 
power. This stream rises in Cale- 
donia county : it passes nearly 
through the centre of the counties 
of Washington and Chittenden, and 

20* 



after passing " Winooski city" it 
falls into Champlain lake, five miles 
N. from Burlington village. 

Winooski is the beautiful Indian 
name of this river, and had the good 
people of Winooski possessed the 
exquisite taste of their predecessors 
they would probably have called 
their charming little city cabbage 
town. 

Onion river, so called, has nu- 
merous tributaries, and is one of the 
most romantic streams in the coun- 
try. The channels which have 
been worn in the rocks, by its cease- 
less current, are objects of great 
admiration. In its passage through 
■the mountains are found fissures 
through solid rocks from 30 to 100 
feet in depth, with smooth perpen- 
dicular sides, 60 or 70 feet in width. 
In many places on this stream are 
natural bridges, curious caverns, 
and delightful water-falls. 

The road near the banks of this 
stream, from Connecticut river to 
Burlington, is said to be the best 
passage across the mountains, in 
that direction: it is certainly highly 
picturesque and delightful. 

OqiiO!isal£ Lake, Me. 

Oxford CO. This large lake lies a 
few miles N. E. of the Mooseluck- 
maguntic. It is very irregular in its 
form, and contains many islands. 

Orange, N. H., 

Grafton co., is 16 miles E. from 
Dartmouth college, 10 S. W. from 
Plymouth, and 40 N. W. from Con- 
cord. Population, 1830, 405. In 
this town are found many mineral 
substances, such as lead ore, iron 
ore, &c. There is in the S. E. part 
a small pond, in which is found a 
species of paint resembling spruce 
yellow. Chalk, intermixed with 
magnesia, is said to be procured 
from the same pond. In 1810, a 
valuable species of ochre was dis- 
covered. It is found in great abun- 
dance, deposited in veins, and of a 
quality sui)erior to the imported. — 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



Large quantities of it are annually 
prepared for market. The surface 
of Orange is uneven, but the soil 
in many parts of it is productive. — 
Cardigan mountain lies in the E. 
part of the town. Orange was 
granted by the name of Cardigan, 
Feb. 6, 1769. Its settlement com- 
menced in 1773. 

Orange County, Vt. 

Chelsea, chief town. This coun- 
ty is bounded N. by Washington 
and Caledonia counties, E. by Con- 
necticut river, S. by Windsor coun- 
ty, and W. by Addison and Wash- 
ington counties. Area, 650 square 
miles. Population, 1820, 24,169; 
1830, 27,285. Population to a 
square mile, 42. Incorporated, 
1781. The eastern range of the 
Green mountains extends along the 
northwestern part of the county. 
The principal rivers, besides the 
Connecticut, are the Onipompoi\oo- 
suc. Wait's, branches of the White, 
and Stevens' branch of the Onion. 
The lands in Orange county are gen- 
erally good for grazing, and supply 
many cattle and all the varieties of 
the dairy, of which a large amount 
is annually sent to market. In 
1837 there were 99,346 sheep with- 
in its limits. This county contains 
.some excellent tracts of land on the 
banks of the Connecticut. Iron and 
lead ores, slate and granite, are 
abundant. 

Orange, "Vt. 

Orange co. This town lies 12 
miles S. E. from Monfpelier, and 12 
N. from Chelsea. Eii-st settled, 
1793. Population, 1830, 1,016.— 
The soil is cold, and better suited for 
grazing than grain. Knox's moun- 
tain lies in this town : — it is quite an 
elevation, and is composed princi- 
pally of granite. Some of the 
quarries in the town produce excel- 
lent granite for building, and here 
are found plates of beautiful white 
mica, several inches square. The 



products of the town in cattle and 
wool are considerable. 

Orange, I>Iass. 

Franklin co. Orange lies 72 
miles W. from Boston, and 20 E. 
from Greenfield. Incorporated, 
1783. Population, 1830, 880 ; 1837, 
1,543. The manufactures of the 
town consist of iron castings, boots, 
shoes, palm-leaf hats, card boards, 
shoe pegs, chairs and cabinet ware : 
annual amount about $40,000. Mil- 
ler's river affords the town a good 
water power, and Tully hill a tine 
prospect. The soil is uneven, and 
better fitted for grazing than tillage. 
There is a pleasant village in the 
town, and a good fish pond. 

Orange, Ct. 

New Haven co. This town was 
taken from New Haven and Mil- 
ford in 1822. The name was adopt- 
ed in honor of William, Prince of 
Orange, in commemoration of the 
benefits received from him by the 
colony of Connecticut ; particular- 
ly for the restoration of their char- 
ter after the usurpation and tyranny 
of Edmund Andros. 

Orange lies about 4 miles S. W. 
from New Haven and is a pleasant 
town with a productive soil. The 
inhabitants are principally farmers. 
Savin Rock in this town is a roman- 
tic spot, and a place of resort in the 
summer. There are mines of sil- 
ver and copper in the town, and as- 
bestos is found in abundance in ser- 
pentine rocks. Population, 1830, 
1,341. 

Orford, N. H. 

Grafton co. It lies on Connecti- 
cut river, over which is a bridge, 
connecting with Fairlee. Orford is 
11 miles below Haverhill, 17 N. of 
Hanover, and 64 N. W. from Con- 
cord. The soil is generally of a 
fertile character. The large inter- 
vale farms, watered by the Connec- 
ticut, are particularly distinguished 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



for their beauty and fertility. There 
are two considerable elevations, 
called Mount Cuba and Mount Sun- 
day, lying near the centre of the 
town. There arc four or five ponds 
of considerable size, one of which, 
called Baker's upper pond, lies with- 
in 3 or 4 miles of Connecticut river. 
This pond discharges its waters in- 
to another pond, lying partly in 
Wentworth, and the waters of both 
empty into Baker's river. Indian 
pond lies about 1 mile west trom 
Baker's upper pond. Limestone 
is found in great abundance. 
It is of the primitive kind, coar.-^e 
grained, and forms astrongand hard 
cement. It is found at the foot of a 
mountain, about -100 or 500 feet 
above Connecticut river. Soap 
stone is also found here in great 
abundance. A light grey granite 
rock, much used for mill stones and 
for building, is found in various pla- 
ces. Galena, or lead ore, of a very 
fine texture, containing needles of 
crystallized quartz, or lead,hasbecn 
found, in considerable quantities in 
sinking a well. Orford contains a 
pleasant village, situated on the 
main road. " It is built on a beau- 
tiful plain bordered by intervale on 
the W. The hills on both sides of 
the river, near the centre of the ex- 
pansion, approach each other so as 
to form a kind of neck ; and with a 
similar appi-oxiination at the two 
ends give the whole the appear- 
ance of a double amphitheatre, or 
of the numerical figure 8. The 
greatest breadth of each division is 
about 11-2 miles ; and the length of 
each between 2 and 3 miles." The 
buildings stand princi|)ally on a sin- 
gle street, of 2 or 3 miles in extent. 
Orford was granted Sept. 25, 1761. 
In June, 1765, a Mr. Cross with his 
family, from Lebanon, first settled 
in tliis town. A congregational 
church was gatliered Aug. 27, 1770. 
Rev. Oliver Noble was ordained 
Nov. 5, 1771. Population, 1S30, 
1,829. 



Orland, Me. 

Hancock co. This town lies on 
the east side of Penobscot river, op- 
posite to Orphan's Lsland. It lies 
64 miles E. from Augusta and 12 
W. from Ellsworth, tirland is fine- 
ly watered by ponds and streams : 
it has a good soil, a pleasant village 
and great navigable facilities. In- 
corporated, 1800. Population, 1830, 
975; 1S37, 1,244. 

Orleans County, Vt. 

Irasbitrgh, chief town. This 
county is bounded N. by Lower 
Canada, E. by Essex and Caledonia 
counties, S. by Caledonia county, 
and W. by Franklin and Lamoille 
counties. This county lies between 
the eastern and western ranges of 
the Green mountains. The surface 
is generally handsome and the soil 
well adapted for wheat, rye and 
grass: the climate is rather too cold 
for corn, and some parts of the coun- 
ty is low and marshy. Orleans 
county is watered by Missisque, 
Black, Barton and other rivers. It 
contains more ponds than any coun- 
ty in the state. Much of its trade 
goes to Canada by the way of 
Memphremagog lake, which lies in 
this county and Canada. In 1837 
there were 30,657 sheep in the 
county. Incorporated, 1792. Pop- 
ulation, 1S.30, 11,375. 

Orleans, Maes. 

Barnstable co. Orleans was tak- 
en from Eastham, in 1797. It ex- 
tends across a narrow part of Cape 
Cod, and is indented with coves and 
creeks onbotli sides. Stage harbor 
opens on the east through Chatham 
and Nauset beaches, which extend 
along the coast : — between which 
and the town is Pleasant bay, with 
several islands. In 1837, there 
were 33 vessels belonging to Orleans 
engaged in the cod and mackerel 
fishery, the tonnage of which was 
2,3 10 "tons. They took 20,000 quin- 
tals of cod fish and 600 barrels of 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



mackerel. Tliere were 31,000 
bushels of salt used, and 264 men 
and boys were employed. The 
value of fish taken, when cured and 
packed, was $91,100 : — capital in- 
vested, $33,000. There are 50 es- 
tablishments foi- the manufacture 
of salt in the town ; during the year 
ending April 1, 1837, there were 
21,780 bushels made. There are 
also manufactures of palm-leaf hats, 
leather, boots, shoes and tin ware. 
Orleans lies 20 miles E. from Barn- 
stable. Population, 1S30, 1,799 ; 
1837, 1,936. 

Orono, Me. 

Penobscot co. This town lies on 
the west side of Penobscot river, and 
is watered by Dead stream and a 
large part of Pushaw lake. It is 
74 miles N. E. from Augusta. In- 
corporated, 1806. Population, 1830, 
1,473; 1S37, 3,961. The soil of 
the town is good, and produced, in 
1837, 1,744 bushels of wheat. This 
town borders on the Great Falls in 
Penobscot river, and contains a 
great number of saw mills, which 
manufacture a vast amount of lum- 
ber annually for the Bangoi- market. 
Orono is pleasant and uncommonlj' 
flourishing. 

A rail-road between Bangor and 
the villages of Stillwater and Old- 
toivn, in Orono, was opened foi- 
travel in 1836. It is 12 miles in 
length, and cost $350,000. The 
Penobscot river at Oldtown, above 
the falls, is 40 feet higher than at 
Bangor. The village of Stillwater 
is 4 miles below Oldtown. 

Above the falls, and about a mile 
above the village of Oldtown, near 
the mouth of Dead stream, on " Old- 
town Island," is the Indian Settle- 
ment. This settlement is very plea- 
santly located, and secure from ap- 
proach except by boats or canoes. 
It contains a number of framed 
houses, and a neat chapel with a 
bell. 

In 1837, John Neptune, the lieu- 
tenant Governor, and other officers 



of the Penobscot tribe of Indians, 
finished taking by fimilies a very 
particular census of all who belong 
to the ti-ibe, for the purpose of a 
just and equal distribution of the 
annuities and other monies paid to 
them. It was found that the fami- 
lies in all were ninety five — the list 
exhibiting the head of each family 
by name, and the number of indi- 
viduals each one contains, annexed 
thereto. The whole number of 
souls in the tribe was three hundred 
and sixty-two. Their officers are, 
a governor, lieutenant governor, 
a colonel, four captains, one 'squire, 
and one deacon. In religion they 
are catholics. Several of them can 
read, and a few can write, though 
in a poor hand. 

The whole tribe is divided in pol- 
itics, and on some occasions party 
spirit rages with almost as much 
warmth as among the pale faces, 
though generally better tempered. 
No affiiir of honoi', or rather of 
murder, has ever been known to 
disgrace these savages. 

The tribe own, collectively, all 
the islands in the Penobscot river, 
beginning with that of Oldtown, 
where their village is, and including 
all up as far as the forks, several 
miles above the Matawamkcag, 
many of which are exceedingly 
pleasant and fertile. 

The Indians are not poor, having 
sold some of their lands for large 
sums. To such a remnant, howev- 
er, is this tribe reduced — a tribe an- 
ciently and uniformly called the 
Tarratines, who could biing into 
the field more than two thousand 
warriors, and who claimed the lands 
on both sides of the Penobscot riv- 
er from its sources to its mouth. 

Orphan's Island, Me. 

Penobscot co. This island, con- 
taining about 5,000 acres of excel- 
lent land, at the mouth of Penob- 
scot river, is 4 miles in length. It is 
attached to the town of Bucksport ; 
thg head or north part of it lies oppo- 



NEW ENGLAND GA/.F.TTr.ER. 



site to tlie beautiful village in (liat 
town. This island divides tiie Penol)- 
soot into two branches: the western 
or main branch is called the " Nar- 
rows, "on which side a tort is about to 
be constructed bj' the U. S. govern- 
ment for the protection of the river. 
The other branch is called " Eastern 
river." 

This beautiful island derived its 
name from its having been the pro- 
perty of an orphan heiress who in- 
iierited it as her part of the Waldo 
Patent. 

Orriugton, Me. 

Penobscot co. This is a fine town- 
ship of land with a handsome vil- 
lage on the east side of Penobscot 
river, opposite to Hampden. The 
town has a good mill stream and en- 
joys great navigable facilities. Pop- 
ulation, 1837, 1,426. Wheat crop, 
.same year, 2,340 bushels. 

Orwell, Vt. 

Rutland co. This town lies on 
Champlain lake opposite to Ticon- 
ileroga, N. Y. and contains Mount 
Independence, celebrated in the an- 
nals of the revolutionary war. The 
lake here is about a mile wide, and 
from the Mount a delightful pros- 
pect is presented. Orwell was first 
permanently settled in 1783. The 
.soil of the town is generally good 
and productive. In 1S37 it contain- 
ed 21,512 sheep. There is a spring 
in the town from the waters of 
which Epsom salts have been made, 
and shells of animals have been 
found supposed to have pertained to 
the ocean. There are good mill 
streams in Orwell and a pleasant 
village. Population, 1330, 1,.598. 

Strafford co. is 60 milcr, N. N. E. 
from Concord, and about 15 N. E. 
from Gilford, across Winnepisiogec 
lake. Ossipce mountain, a rough 
and broken range, lies in the N. \V. 
part of Ossipee, extending into the 
adjoining towns. It is 6 or S miles 



in length, and is so elevated that 
in easterly stoi-ms the winds break 
over the sumniits, frequently caus- 
ing much injury to the faiias, and 
buildings at its base. Ossipec lake 
is in this town, and Freedom : it is 
a tine body of water, of an oval form, 
covering about 7,000 acres, having 
no island, and its waters clear and 
beautiful. Ossipce river fiows from 
this lake, from whence it passes 
through Fi'cedom into the Saco, in 
Maine. Pine river passes through 
the E. part of Os-;ipee, and Bear- 
camp river falls into the lake on the 
N. VV. There are several ponds in 
Ossipee, the largest of which lies 
partly in Tuftonborough, and is 
a!)Out 400 rods long. Bear pond in 
the S. E. part, has no visible outlet. 
Near the W. shore of Ossipee lake, 
is a mound of earth 45 or 50 feet in 
diameter, of a circular form, and 
about 10 feethigh, from which have 
been taken sevtral entire skeletons, 
and also tomahawks, &c. exhibiting 
the strongest evidence that the tribe 
once so i)Owerful in this vicinity 
had their principal residence here. 
Ossipee was incorporated, Feb. 22, 
1785. Population, 1830, 1,935. 

Otis, Me. 

Hancock co. Otis was incorpo- 
rated in 1835. It is bounded on the 
west by Ellsworth. It is the source 
of some of the rivers which flow 
into Frenchman's bay, and Union 
river, passes its N. \V. corner. Pop- 
ulation, 1837, 92. 

Otis, Mass. 

Berkshire co. This township is 
on high ground, and is the source of 
some of the head waters of Farni- 
ington and Westlield rivers. These 
streams flowfrom several very hand- 
some ponds. The surface of the 
town is uneven but the soil is pro- 
ductive, particularly of good pastur- 
i!oe. The manufactures consist of 
leather, boots, shoes, chairs, cabi- 
net ware, lutnbcr, &c. It lies 130 
miles \V. bv S. from Boston, and 15 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



S. E. from Lenox. Population, 1837, 
1,077. Incorporated, 179-3. 

Otisfield, Me. • 

Cumberland co. This town is 
watered by Crooked river, which 
empties into Sebagolake. The soil 
is very good, and produced, in 1S37, 
4,525 bushels of wheat. It lies 82 
miles S. S. W. from Augusta and 
32 N. N. W. from Portland. Pop- 
ulation 1830, 1,257. 

Otter Creels, Vt. 

This stream rises on the south part 
ot Rutland county : — it traverses, in 
a northern course, nearly through 
the centre of that county, and wa- 
ters Clarendon, Rutland, Pittsford, 
Brandon and other towns ; it then 
enters Addison county, and passes 
to Middlebury, where it falls very 
considerably, affording that pleasant 
town an admirable water power; — 
it then passes Weybridge, New Ha- 
ven and Vergennes, and falls info 
Champlain lake at Ferrisburgh. 
From Vergennes it is navigable for 
the largest lake vessels, 8 miles. 
There are no considerable falls on 
this stream except at Middlebury, 
Weybridge and Vergennes. In ma- 
ny parts of its course it is sluggish. 
From Middlebury to Pittsford, a 
distance of 25 miles, it is navigable 
for boats. Otter Creek has many 
tributaries which afford a great wa- 
ter power. Its length is about 90 
miles, and on its banks are large 
tracts of alluvial meadows, some of 
the best in the state. It receives 
the waters of a basin of about 900 
square miles. 

Owl's Head, Me. 

Lincoln co. This noted place on 
our eastern waters is a point of land 
attached to the town of Thomaston, 
running out three or four miles into 
Penobscot bay, opposite to the island 
town of Vinalhaven. Owl's Head 
forms the western entrance into the 
mouth of Penobscot river, and has 



a light house to guide the wary 
mariner on his way. A breakwater 
is about being erected, which will 
render the harbor at this place one 
of the most commodious, as it is one 
of the most important, on the coast. 
An almost countless number of ves- 
.':els pass this place annually. Fre- 
quently five hundred pass in a day. 
From March 15th to June 15th,1838, 
5019 sail were seen to pass in the 
day time. Owl's Head is not only 
a stopping place in a stoim, but a 
resort for great numbers of people, 
for many miles around, to take pas- 
sages on board of steamers and oth- 
er vessels. It is a delightful place 
in summer, and has justly acquired 
a reputation for possessing all the 
various enjoyments which induce 
thousands to visit the sea coast at 
other places. It lies 4 miles E. from 
Thomaston, 55 S. from Bangor, 40 
S. E. from Augusta, and 79 E. N. E. 
from Portland. 

Oxford County, Me. 

Paris, chief town. This county 
is bounded N. by Lower Canada, E. 
by Franklin and Kennebec coun- 
ties, S. by Cumberland and York 
counties, and W. by New Hamp- 
shire. 

It is watered by the Margalla- 
way, Androscoggin, Saco, and nu- 
merous other rivers. In the noi th- 
orn pait of the county lies a collec- 
tion of large lakes whose waters 
empty into the Umbagog, and pass 
to the ocean by the Androscoggin 
and Kennebec rivers. Although 
some parts of the county are rough 
and mountainous, yet a very large 
part of it is exceedingly fertile, par- 
ticularly on the borders of its nu- 
merous rivci-s, lakes and ponds. 
This county contained an area of 
2,684 square miles previous to the 
formation of Franklin county, in 
1838, which was formed partly from 
Oxford county. The population of 
Oxford county, in 1820, was 17,630; 
1830, 35,211 ; 1837, 40,640. Popu- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



lation to a square mile, 15. Tlie 
number of sheep in tliis county, in 
1837, was 76,028. 

Oxford, Me. 

Oxford CO. This town is watered 
by little Androscoggin river and 
several ponds. It contains some 
excellent land and two flourishing 
villages. It produced, in 1837, 3,22() 
bushels of wheat. Population, same 
jear, 1,124. Oxford lies .52 miles 
S. W. from Augusta, and 8 S. from 
Paris. 

Oxford, Mass. 

Worcester co. This is an impor- 
tant manufacturing town, of uneven 
surface, strong, giavelly soil; 45 
miles W. from Boston and 10 S. from 
Worcester. Incorporated, 1773. 
Population, 1837, 2,047. There are 
in the town 5 woolen and 4 cotton 
mills, and manufactures of boots 
and shoes : — total value, the year 
ending April 1, 1837, $501,394. 
Oxford is a pleasant town, and fine- 
ly watered by French river, which 
passes to the ocean by the Quinne- 
baug and Thames. 

The original township of Oxford 
was eight miles square, and was 
granted to Joseph Dudley and oth- 
ers, in 1680, for the accommodation 
of about 30 Frencl) protestant fam- 
ilies, who had escaped from France 
after the revocation of the Edict of 
Nantz, when they became exposed 
to every cruelty and hardship that 
catholic intolerance and religious 
bigotry could invent. They were 
assisted in their emigration to 
this country by the proprietors of 
the grant, and settled here about 
1686. They built a fort on a hill in 
the eastern part of the town, now 
called Mayo's, or Fort Hill, where 
its remains are still visible. It was 
consti-ucted bj' the rules of ai-t, with 
bastions, and had a well within its 
enclosure. They had another fort, 
and a meeting house. The grapes, 
currants, and asparagus of their 
planting, scill grow here, and the 



last of the peach trees was destroy- 
ed by the gale of 1815. They had 
a minister while resident here, 
whose name was Bondet. These 
people remained here till 1696, 
when the Indians attacked the place 
and murdered some of the people. 
This so teriitied the inhabitants that 
they left the place, and most of 
them settled in Boston, where a 
French church was maintained by 
them several years. 

Oxford, Ct. 

New Haven co. Oxford was tak- 
en from Derby in 1798. It lies 
14 miles N. W. from New Haven 
and 40 S. W. from Hartford. It is 
watered by Housatonick and Nan- 
gatuck rivers. The surface of the 
town is diversified with hills and 
valle3's ; — the soil is generally a 
gravelly loam, fertile and produc- 
tive. 

There are large manufacturing 
establishments in Oxford, among 
which are three satinet factories 
and an extensive hat manufactory. 
The water power at this place is 
excellent. Population, 1S30, 1,763. 
From " Governor's Hill" a tine 
view of the neat village of " Qua- 
ker Farms," and the surrounding 
country is presented. 

About one mile south of the cen- 
tral pai-t of the town is a remarka- 
ble mineral spring, called " The 
Pool,"fiom the cii-cumstance of its 
watei's being efficacious, and much 
used for the cure of the salt rheum 
and other complaints. " Once in a 
month a yellowish scum will col- 
lect upon the surface of the water, 
which in a few days runs off', 
and leaves the pool perfectly clear. 
In the coldest weather, this spring 
never freezes ; in the dryest season 
it is as full as at other times." 

Palermo, Me. 

Waldo CO. This town is watered 
by several beautiful ponds, which 
form the head waters of Sheepscot 
river. This is a farmina; town of 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



good soil and undulating surface, — 
it produced, in 1S37, 5,326 bushels of 
wheat. Popuhition, same year, 
1,538. It lies 16 miles E. N. E. 
from Augusta, and 24 W. fi-om liel- 
fast. Incorporated, 1804. 

Paliner, Mass. 

Hampden co. This town was 
originally settled by a colony fiom 
Ireland. It was incorporated in 
1752. The surface of Palmer is 
hilly, but the soil is good, particu- 
larly along the banks of Ware and 
Swift rivers, by which it is finely 
watered, and supplied with water 
power. There are 1 woolen and 2 
cotton mills in the town, and manu- 
factuies of boots, shoes, scythes, 
palm-leaf hats and wagons ; — total 
amount, the year ending April 1, 
1837, $178,556. The value of 
2,652 fleeces of wool sheared in this 
town, that year, was $4,243. — 
Palmer lies 70 miles W. by S. from 
Boston, and 16 E. N. E. from 
Springtield. Population, 1830, 1,237; 
1837,1,810. 

Palmyra, Me. 

Somerset co. Sebasticook river 
passes through this town, and af- 
fords it a good water power. The soil 
is rich, and the surface undulating. 
There are some mills in the town, 
and considerable attention is paid 
to its agricultural interests. It lies 
51 miles N. N. E. from Augusta, 
and 25 E. N. E. from Norridgewock. 
Incorporated, 1807. Population, in 
1837, 1,328. Wheat crop, same 
year, 8,523 bushels. 

Panton, Vt. 

Addison co. This town is bound- 
ed W. by Champlain lake, and E. 
by Otter creek. A sluggish stream 
passes through it; yet, althougli thus 
watered, it does not possess a good 
mill site, the country being exceed- 
ingly level. It lies 40 miles W. S. 
W. from Montpelier, 13 N. W. 
from Middlebury, 25S.by W. from 
Burlington, and is 4 miles from 



Elizabetlitown, N. Y., across the 
lake. Population, 1830, G05. 

Paris, Me. 

Cliief town, Oxford co. Paris is 
well watered, and supplied with mill 
privileges by Little Androscoggin 
river, on whicli are several mills in 
the town. The soil is excellent, al- 
though in some parts uneven and 
mountainous. The principal vil- 
lage is well built, pleasantly located, 
and the seat of considerable busi- 
ness. The town was incorporated 
in 1793. Population, 1S37, 2,352. 
Wheat crop, same j'eai-, 10,45."{ 
bushels. Paris lies 42 miles W. by 
S. from Augusta, and 40 N. by W. 
from Portland. 

Parknian, Me. 

Piscataquis CO. This town is wa- 
tered by a branch of Piscataquis 
river, and has an excellent soil for 
agricultural purposes. It lies 64 
miles N. by E. from Augusta, and 
14 W. from Dover. Incorporated, 
1822. Population, 1830,803; 18.37, 
1,125. Wheat crop, 1837, 6,018 
bushels. 

Parsoitsiield, Me. 

York CO. This town lies at the 
N. W. corner of the county, and is 
bounded W. by the state of New 
Hampshire, and N. by Ossipee riv- 
er. It is 36 miles W. by N. from 
Portland, 21 N. by W. from Alfred, 
and 93 W. S. W. from Augusta. — 
First settled, 1774. Incorporated, 
1785. Population, 1837, 2,510.— 
The surface of the town is rough 
and hilly, but the soil, thouirh hard, 
is productive of good crops of grain 
and hay. Wheat crop, 1837, 3,929 
bushels. 

There are many good farmers in 
this town, and good specimens ot 
iron ore, zinc and crystalized quartz 
are found here. In this place is an 
incorporated seminary, for the edu- 
cation of males and i'emales. The 
institution is under the direction of 
the Free Will Baptists, and is in a 
flourishino" condition. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



Passadnmkeag, Me. 

Penobscot co. Tliis town lies on 
the east side of Penobscot river, DS 
miles N. E. from Augusta, and 30 
N. by E. from Bangor. The soil of 
the town is fertile, and promises ii 
rich reward to the industrious farm- 
er. Population, 1S;]7, 422. Wheat 
crop, same year, 1,070 bushels. 

Tlie village of Passadumheag 
is admirable located, and will doubt- 
less become an important mart of 
the trade of a large section of coun- 
try. This flourishing village lies at 
the junction of Passadumkeag river 
with the Pcnob,-cot. This delight- 
ful stream is about 25 miles in 
length. It rises in the north east- 
ern part of this county, and waters 
the northern part of Hancock coun- 
ty. It re-enters Penobscot county, 
and receives the Cold stream, two 
miles from Passadumkeag village. 
Both the Passadumkeag and Cold 
stream afford excellent mill privi- 
leges. 

Passamaqtioddy Bay, Mc. 

This bay lies partly in Maine, 
and partly in the Biili>h Province 
of New Brunswick. The bounda- 
ry line between the state of Maine 
and New Brunswick passes through 
the western part of this bay up the 
river St. Croix. Campo Bello,Deer, 
and other English islands almost en- 
close this bay from the ocean. At 
its mouth it is about 9 miles in width, 
and extends from West Quoddy 
Head, in Lubec, due north into 
New Brunswick, about 25 miles. — 
This bay contains a great number of 
excellent harbors ; it is never froz- 
en over, and abounds with cod, her- 
ring and other fishes. The most 
important English town on this bay 
is St. Andrews, a very flourishing 
place, 15 miles N. from Eastport. — 
The P atisamaiiuodiJy Indians re- 
side at Perry, Me. 

Passompsick River, Vt. 

This river rises in Caledonia, 
and on the south border of Essex 

'27 



counties. It passes south about 
35 miles, and falls into the Connec- 
ticut at Barnet, about a mile below 
the foot of Fifteen ]\Iile Falls. It 
has a number of tributaiies. This 
is a valuable stream, both on ac- 
count of the numerous mill sites it 
aflbrds, and the large tracts of choice 
intervale it forms on its borders. — 
It is generally deep, but in many 
places it is very lapid, and forms 
beautiful cascades. 

Patrickto-\vn, Me. 

Lincoln co. This plantation 
contains the principal part of a large 
pond, and is watered by streams 
which flow into the Shcepscot and 
Damariscotta. This is a large plan- 
tation, of good soil. Population, 
1837, 4G5. It lies 17 miles E. fiom 
Augusta, and 20 N. W. from War- 
ren. 

PaAvcatuck River. 

This river rises in the westeiii 
part of Rhode Island, and empties 
into Long Island Sound, separating, 
at its mouth, the towns of Westerly, 
R. I., and Stonington, Ct. It is 
navigable about b niiles from its 
mouth, and Wood and Charles riv- 
ers, two of its principals tributaries, 
are good mill streams. 

Pawcatuck villaj^e. See West- 
erly. 

Pawlet, Vt. 

Rutland CO. First settled, 1761. 
Population, 1830, 1,965. Pawlet 
lies 21 miles S. W. fiom Rutland, 
and 27 S. E. from Whitehall, N. Y. 
The town is watered by Pawlet 
river, which falls into Champlain 
lake at Whitehall, and by Indian 
liver, which rises from a spring 
sulficiently large to carry a mill. — 
The latter river was formerly a 
great resort of the natives, who fre- 
quented it for trout and other lish 
with which it abounds. The terri- 
tory of Pawlet is nearly divider! by 
a range of mountains, the highe.st 
summit of which is known by iUk 



NEW ENGLAND CAZKTTSER. 



name of '' Haystack." This i^ a 
pleasant town, with some manufac- 
tures. The soil is dry and warm, 
and produces good crops of corn and 
hay. It feeds about 14,000 sheep. 

Pa-vvtucket, Mass. 

Bristol CO. The town of Pawtuck- 
et lies on the east side of the river of 
the same name. It is two miles 
square, and was taken fi-om Seekonk 
in 1828. The population of the 
town, inlS30,was 1,453; 1337, 1,881. 

The village of Paivtucket is 
very pleasant; — it is an important 
manufacturing place, commanding 
a considerable trade, and contains a 
population of about 8,000. It lies 
on both sides of the river, and in- 
cludes a part of the town of North 
Providence, in R. I. 

The first manufiicture of cotton 
cloth in this country, by water pow- 
er machinery, was commenced at 
this place. The water power is 
immense, and the fall of the river 
within a short distance, is 50 feet. 

The river is navigable to the vil- 
lage for vessels of considerable 
burthen. It runs 4 miles S. by W. 
to Providence river, at India Point, 
near the depot of the Boston and 
Providence rail-roaii, one mile be- 
low the centre of the city of Provi- 
dence. The river, above Pawtuck- 
et, in Massachusetts, takes the name 
oiBlackstone; helowthe falls it takes 
the name of Seekuak. This place 
is 4 miles N. from Providence, 36 
S. from Boston, 16 W. by S. from 
Taunton, and 33 S. E. from Wor- 
cester. At this place are 12 or 
more cotton mills and print works, 
and manufactures of cotton machin- 
ery, bobbins, spools, &c. ; of boots, 
shoes, carriages, vessels, chairs, 
cabinet wares, &c. ; total annual 
value, about two millions of dollars. 

The turnpike road from this place 
to Providence is probably the best 
road of the kind in the world. It 
is very straight, wide, Irtvel, smooth, 
and shaded on each side by beauti- 
ful trees. 



Samuel Slater, Esq., the 
father of cotton manufactures in 
America, resided in this village 
many years. He died at Webster, 
Mass., greatly respected, April 20, 
1835, aged 67. 

Pa^vtuxet Kiver, R. I. 

This celebrated river rises in the 
western part of the State. It has nu- 
mei-ous tributaries, and mingles with 
the waters of the Narraganset, five 
miles below Providence. This riv- 
er is distinguished for its valuable 
mill sites, and for the numerous man- 
ufacturing establishments erected 
on its banks. Pawtuxet and its 
branches fertilize a large portion of 
the state. See Warwick. 

Paxtou, Mass. 

Worcester co. Paxton was tak- 
en from Leicester and Rutland, in 
1765. It is on high ground ; its 
waters descend both to the Connec- 
ticut and Merrimack. It lies 50 
miles W. from Boston, and 7 N. W. 
from Worcester. Population, 1837, 
619. This is a pleasant town, with 
manufactures of palm-leaf hats. 
boots, shoes, leather, carriages, &c. 
The surface of the town is uneven, 
but the soil is good, and well culti- 
vated by its proprietors. 

Peacham, Vt. 

Caledonia co. As no town can 
be considered properly peopled 
without some of the fair sex, the 
date of the firstsettlement of Peach- 
am must have been near 1777, when 
Henry Elkins, the first child in 
town, was born. The first mill was 
erected in 1781. The town is well 
watered by several ponds and 
streams ; the surface is pleasantly 
diversified; the soil fertile and well 
cultivated by independent farmers. 
The agricultural products are con- 
siderable. About 6,000 sheep are 
kept. Peachaiii lies 20 miles E. by 
N. from Montpelicr, and 8 S. by 
W. from Danville. Population, 
1830, 1,351. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



Peeling, N. H. 

Grafton co. Tliis town is 20 miles 
N. from Plymouth, and 60 N. from 
Concord. The Pe in isjew asset pas- 
ses through its E. section. The three 
branches of this river unite in the 
N. part of Peeling. There are sev- 
eral brooks and rivulets which sup- 
ply this place with a number of mill 
privileges. The ponds are numer- 
ous. Cushman's mountain, in the 
S. W., Black mountain in the N. 
W., and Blue mountain in the W. 
are the highest elevations. Among 
these mountains, branches of the 
Wild Amonoosuck and Baker's riv- 
ers, and Moosehillock brook, have 
their sources. On the last stream 
there is a beautiful cascade. There 
are here two springs which have 
been termed medicinal. Peeling 
was settled about 1773. Popula- 
tion, 1830, 291. 

Pelliam, N. H. 

Hillsborough co. This town is 
distant 37 miles S. from Concord, 
and 19 S.E. froniAmherst. Here are 
three ponds, called Gumpas, Island, 
and North ponds. Beaver river 
passes through the town. On this 
river and the tributary streams 
there is much valuable meadow. — 
The inhabitants depend principally 
on agricultui-e for the means of sup- 
port. Much timber and cord wood 
are carried annually to the banks of 
the Merrimack, and thence convey- 
ed to Newburyport, or to Boston 
through Middlesex canal. The 
first settlements were made in 1722. 
The town was incorporated in 174G, 
about 5 years after the state line was 
established, by which a part was 
separated from Uracut, Mass. Pop- 
ulation in 1S30, 1,075. 

Pelhaxn, ^lass. 

Hampshire co. This town lies 
80 miles W. from Boston, and 13 N. 
E. from Northampton. It w.1s in- 
corporated in 1742. Population, in 
1837, 957. The surface of the 



town is elevated and uneven ; the 
soil is hard but productive. Swift 
and Fort rivers adbrd it mill privi- 
leges. Some palm-leaf hats are 
made here. 

Some years ago the notorious 
Stephen Burroughs profaned the 
christian sabbath, by imposing him- 
self on the iniiocent people of Pcl- 
hara as a minister of the gospel. 

Peiiiaclumcook Lake, ]fle., 

Or the Bamedumpkok. This 
large lake is of very irregular form, 
containing a great number of isl- 
ands, and lies a few miles N.from Ba- 
ker's mountain. It receives the 
waters of numerous lakes, or col- 
lections of water, lying between it 
and the eastern sources of the 
Moose Head. The soil on the bor- 
ders of the Pemadumcook, and the 
lakes connected with it, is remark- 
ably fertile. The Jo Mary lakes 
arc beautiful sheets of water, and 
are surrounded by some of the best 
timbered land in the state. They 
lie near the Pemadumcook; and the 
facilities afforded for rafting lumber 
down the Penobscot, through that 
lake, render that section of country 
very valuable. 

Pembroke, JUe. 

Washington co. Population, in 
1837, 86G. M'heat crop, same year, 
1,216 bushels. It lies 178 miles 
from Augusta. 

See " Down East." 

Peniliroke, 3V. H., 

Merrimack co., lies 60 miles N. 
W. from Boston, and 6 S. E. from 
Concord. This town is generally 
well watered. The Suncook, on the 
S. E. boundary, furnishes many val- 
uable water privileges. The main 
street extends nearly on a parallel 
with Merrimack river in a straight 
course about three miles, and is very 
pleasant. On this are situated the 
academy an<l the principal village. 
Pembroke has a variety of soils, 
mostly very productive. On the 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



rivers are small but valuable tracts 
of intervale, and from these the 
land rises in extensive and beauti- 
ful swells, jielding in abundance 
when properly cultivated. Pem- 
broke is the ancient Suncook of the 
Indians. It was granted by this 
name in 1727, by the government 
of Massachusetts, to Capt. John 
Lovewell, and his brave associates, 
in consideration of their services 
against the Indians. The whole 
number of grantees was 60 ; 46 of 
whom accompanied Lovewell in 
his last march to Pequawkett. The 
first survey was made in 172S ; and 
in the following year settlements 
were commenced. The settlements 
increased slowly, in consequence 
of the frequent alarms from the In- 
dians, who committed many depre- 
dations upon their property. Pop- 
ulation, 1830, 1,312. 

Pembroke, Mass. 

Plymouth co. This town was 
taken from Duxbury in 1711. Pop- 
ulation, 1837, 1,258. It lies 27 
miles S. E. from Boston, and 12 N. 
N. W. from Plymouth. North riv- 
er separates this town from Hano- 
ver; and some branches of that 
stream, rising from ponds in Pem- 
broke, give it a good water power. 
For more than 40 years after the 
settlement at Plymouth, this town 
contained the only saw-mill in the 
colonj'. Pembi-oke is at the head 
of navigation on the North river, 
and possesses superior advantages 
for ship building ; and many noble 
vessels, constructed of native white 
oak, are annually launched. The 
manufactures of the town consist of 
vessels, cotton goods, tacks, iron 
ware, chairs, cabinet ware, &,c. 

The North river is very deep and 
narrow, and so exceedingly crook- 
ed that it meanders 18 miles in its 
course from Pembroke to Scituate 
harbor, when the distance by land 
is less than 6 miles. 



Pemige'wasset River, N. H. 

This stream and the Winnepisio- 
gee constitute the Merrimack. It 
is iormed of three principal branch- 
es, having their sources in Peeling, 
Franconia, and the ungranted lands 
S. W. of the White Mountains. — 
These branches unite in Peeling, 
from whence the main stream pass- 
es in a S. direction through Thorn- 
ton, Caiupton, between Plymouth 
and Holderness; Bridgewater, Bris- 
tol and New Hampton ; Hill and 
Franklin, where it unites with 
Winnepisiogee river, and the main 
stream becomes the Merrimack. 

Pemmaquid. Point, ]>Ie. 

Lincoln co. This is an important 
point of land, extending into the 
sea between Muscongusbay on the 
east, and Pemmaquid river and the 
waters of Damari>;ootta on the west. 
There is a light house on this point, 
which bears W. 10 miles from St. 
George's island, and about N. E. 9 
miles fi-om Biuitam Ledge. 

Penobscot River aud Bay, Me. 

This large and important river, 
with its numerous and extensive 
branches water a large portion of 
the state. It pierces the county 
which bears its name and receives 
tributaries from Washington, Han- 
cock, \- aldo, Piscataquis and Som- 
erset counties. Below the union 
of the eastern and western branch- 
es the Piscataquis and Matawam- 
keag are its lai-gcst tributaries. 
From the junction of the two 
branches, or " the Forks," to tide 
water at Bangor is about 76 miles. 

The east branch rises at the north, 
in the Seboois lakes, near Aroostook 
i-iver, and on its passage to the junc- 
tion, a distance of about 50 miles, 
it is properly called Seboois river. 

The western branch of the Pe- 
nobscot rises in the high lands on 
the border of Lower Canada and 
the western frontier of Maine. It 
passes through the counties of Sora- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEEU. 



ersct and Pisca(aquis in an eastern 
direction, to its junction with the 
eastern branch, rcceivins; in its 
course the watejs of lakes Cliesun- 
cook, Pemailumcook, Rlillinoket, 
and other large collections of water. 
This branch passes within 3 miles 
of the northern border of Moose 
Head lake, the source of Kenne- 
bec river. The length of this branch 
of the Penobscot, from its source to 
its union with the east bi-anch or 
Seboois river, maj' be stated at 
about 140 miles; and the greatest 
length of the river to Bangor, 
215, and to the ocean, 275 miles. 

Some of the most important 
tributaries of this majestic river, 
are noted under their distinctive 
names; a description of them all with 
their hydraulic powers and boat- 
able capabilities, their rapid cour- 
ses and beautiful cataracts, tlieii- 
fertilizing qualities, and other pecu- 
liarities, would till a volume. In- 
deed, these streams and the immense 
basin wliicli they drain, are so little 
known, that some years must elapse 
before any thing like a fair delinea- 
tion of the value and beauty of this 
interesting section of New Eng- 
land can be given. 

Penobscot Bay. The waters of 
this bay extend from Owl's Head 
on the west, to Burnt Coat Island 
on the E. ; a distance of about ;J0 
miles. At its mouth are Fox Is- 
lands, Deer Isle, Isle of Haut, 
and a number of smaller islands. 
It extends to Belfast bay, at the 
mouth of Penobscot river, a dis- 
tance of 20 miles N. from Owl's 
Head. This bay contains a great 
number of commodious harbors, and 
on its borders are many large and 
flourishing commercial towns. It 
affords a great variety of fish, and 
the scenery among the islands is de- 
lightful. 

Penobscot County, Me. 

Bangor, chief town. This sec- 

27* 



tion of country constituting a coun- 
ty, is rather a district within the 
state, to be divided into counties as 
exigencies may require. Not more 
than a fourth part of the territory 
is settled, incorporated into towns, 
or even granted. With the excep- 
tion of a small portion at its south- 
ern boundary, it comprises a fertile 
wilderness, densely wooded, pierc- 
ed in every direction with mill 
streams, and adorned with beautiful 
lakes. It contains a larger extent 
of territory than the whole agri- 
cultural state of Vermont, with its 
14 large and HourisJiing counties ; 
of no better soil, at a greater dis- 
tance from the ocean, in nearly the 
same latitude, and, in 1837, with a 
population of no less than 31 to a 
square mile. 

In 1837, before a part of this ter- 
ritory was sit od'to form Piscataquis 
county, it comprised an area of 10,- 
578 square miles. It was incorpo- 
rated as a county in 1816. In 1790, 
it contained a population of only 
1,154. In 1820, the population was 
13,870; 1330, 31,530, and in 1S37, 
54,9(51. Population to a square 
mile, 5 and a fraction. Increase of 
population, in 7 years, 74 per cent. 

There are some mountains in this 
countj', but the surface is generally 
undulating, containing as small a 
portion of waste land as any county 
in the state, in proportion to its size. 

With regard to its soil, it is con- 
ceded by all who have traveled 
through the territory and examined 
it, that its quality, for the produc- 
tion of all the commodities necessa- 
ry for the wants and comforts of 
man, is better than the soil of New- 
England generally. 

The manufactures of this county 
consist principally of lumber, of 
which an immense amount is annu- 
ally transported. Other manufac- 
tures, however, are rising on the 
banks of its livers, and will doubt- 
less increase with its population. 
In 1837, there were 39,154 sheep 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



in the county of Penobscot, and its 
wheat crop, the same year, amount- 
ed to 202,143 bushels. 

Large portions of the soil of this 
almost wilderness county are stated 
to be exceedingly luxuriant, equal- 
ling in qualit}'^ the famed lands of 
the Ohio valley. There are doubt- 
less large tracts of land in the val- 
leys of the Mattawamkeag, Aroos- 
took, St. Johns, and Madawaska, as 
fertile, and which will ultimately 
become as valuable for their agri- 
cultural productions, as any in our 
country. 

The water power of this county 
is unrivalled by any section of coun- 
try of its extent in the world, and 
the noble Penobscot furnishes it 
with a cheap and convenient pas- 
sage for the wants of its people 
from abroad, and for the surplus 
productions of the soil at home. 

When the resources of this coun- 
ty are more fully developed and 
better understood ; when the hcalth- 
fuJness of the climate, the purity 
of its air and water, are fairly 
compared with those of the western 
and southern prairies, and when the 
value of a suiplus bushel of wheat, 
or a fat ox on the banks of the O'liio, 
is compared with the value of the 
same productions on the banks of 
the Penobscot, we trust there will 
be less complaint against the soil of 
New England, for the want of pat- 
ronage it affords to the enterprize, 
comfort, and wealth of her children. 

Peuoljscot, Me. 

Hancock co. A maritime town, 
on the E. side of Penobscot bay, 
nearly opposite to Belfast, and 12 
miles E. by N. from it. It is 75 
miles E. by N. from Augusta, 8 N. 
byE. from Castine, and 17 S. W. 
from Ellsworth. An arm of Penob- 
scot bay sets up from the S. W., and 
gives the town great navigable facil- 
ities. It has a great water power, 
and its manufacture of lumber, its 
ship building, and coasting trade, 
render it an important and flourish- 



ing sea port. The surface of the 
town is pleasant, and the soil good. 
Papulation, 1837, 1,493. Wheat 
crop, same year, 2,074 bushels. — 
Incoi'porated, 1787. 

Pepjjcrell, Mass. 

Middlesex co. This is a very 
pleasant town, with a good soil and 
handsome orchards. It is watered 
by the Nashua river, which gives 
it a good water power. There are 
three paper mills in the town, and 
manufactures of palm-leaf hats, 
boots, shoes, &c. Annual amount 
about .«(SO,000. Incorporated, 1753. 
Population, 1837, 1,586. It lies 33 
miles N. W. from Boston, and 17 
N. N. W. from Concord. 

Col. William Prescott, the 
brave defender of Charlestown 
heights, was a native of this town. 
He died in 1795, aged 70. 

This town derived its name from 
Sir William Pepperell, who 
about the year 1727, was chosen 
one of his majesty's council, and 
was annually re-elected 32 years, 
till his death. Living in a coun- 
try exposed to a ferocious enemy, 
h.8 was well fitted for the situa- 
tion, in which he was placed, for it 
pleased God to give him a vigorous 
frame, and a mind of tirm tex- 
ture, and of great calmness in dan- 
ger. He rose to the highest mili- 
tary honors which his country could 
bestow upon him. When the ex- 
pedition against Louisbourg was 
contemplated, he was commission- 
ed by the governors of New Eng- 
land to command the troops. He 
invested the city in 1745. There 
was a remarkable series of provi- 
dences in the whole affair, and Mr. 
Pepperell ascribed his unparalleled 
success to the God of armies. The 
king, in reward for his services, 
conferred upon him the dignity of a 
baronet of Great Britain, an honor 
never before conferred on a native 
of New England. He died at his 
seat in Kittery, Maine, July 6, 
1759, aged C3 years, leaving but one 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTI'.r.R. 



daughter, the wife of Col. Natlian- 
icl Sparhawk. The last Sir Wil- 
liam (son of Col. Sparhawk,) died 
ill London in 1317. The name and 
title are extinct. 

Lady ^L^I•y Pepperell, relict of 
Sir William Pepperell, died at her 
seat in Kittcry, Nov. 25, 1789. She 
was daughter of Grove Hirst, 
Esq. and grand-dau£,liter of Hon. 
Judge Scwall. Her natural and 
acquired powers were said to be 
very respectable, and she was much 
admired for her wit and sweetness 
of manners. 

William Pepperell, the fa- 
ther of the lirst Sir William, was a 
native of Cornwall, England, and 
emigrated to this country about the 
year 1676, and settled at the Isles 
of Shoals, as a fisherman. It is 
said, he was so poor for some time 
after his arrival, that the lady to 
whom he paid his addresses at the 
Shoals would not hearken to him. 
However, in a few ycais, by his 
industry and frugality, he got 
enough to send out a brig, which 
he loaded to Hull. The lady now 
gave her consent. After his mar- 
riage, he removed to Kittery, 
where he became a very wealthy 
merchant, and died in 1734. 

Pequatvkett River, N. H. 

Pequawkctt, written by Belknap 
Pigwacket, and by Sullivan Pick- 
wocket, but the true orthography is 
found to be Pe-quaw-kett ; an In- 
dian name applied to a considerable 
tract of country, now including 
Conway, N. H., Fryeburgh, Me., 
and some of the adjacent towns. — 
It is also the name of a river flow- 
ing into the Saco, from two ponds 
in Eaton ; and of a mountain be- 
tween Bartlett and Chatham, for- 
merly called Kearsarge. 

Perry, Me. 

Washington co. This town lies 
on the W. side of St. Croix river, 
and 5 miles N. W. from Kastport, 
to which it is connected by a bridge. 



It is favored with good navigable 
waters, and is a place of considera- 
ble enterprise in the fishing busi- 
ness, -;|iip building, and the coasting 
and lumber trade. It is 184 miles 
E. by N. fiom Augusta, and 25 E. 
N. E. fi-om JNIachias. Incorporated, 
1818. Population, 1837,929. 

At Pleasant Point, in this town, 
on the margin of the river, is an 
Indian resei'vation, the residence of 
the remnant of the Openangos, or 
Passamaquoddy tribe. The village 
contains a Roman Catholic church, 
about 20 cottages, and 120 souls. — 
The reservation comprises about 
27,000 acres. 

Peru, Me. 

Oxford CO. Peru is hounded on 
the N. by Androscoggin river, and 
contains some pleasant ponds and 
mill streams. It has a good soil and 
produced, in 1837, 3,457 bushels of 
wheat. Population, same year, 
854. Incoiporatcd, 1821. Peru 
lies 38 miles W. by N. from Augus- 
ta, and 17 N. by E. from Paris. 

Peru, Vt. 

Bennington co. This is a Green 
Mountain township, high and brok- 
en. It contains two large lish ponds 
from which issue beautiful moun- 
tain streams. First settled, 1773. 
Population, 1S30, 455. It lies 30 
miles N. N. E. from Bennington, 
and 30 S. W. from Windsor. 

Peru, Mass. 

Berkshire co. This is a rough 
and mountainous town, wherein 
branches of Ilousatonick and West- 
field rivers rise. It was formerly 
called Partridgefieid, and incorpo- 
rated by that name in 1771. The 
soil is cold but adapted for grazing. 
The inhabitants are chiefly farm- 
ers. Population, 1837, 656. In 
that year 6,127 sheep were sheared 
in this town ; the value of the wool, 
which weighed 18,381 lbs., was 
.«!l 1,948. Pern lies 111 miles W. 
from Boston, 18 N. E. from Lenox, 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



and 47 E. from Albany, N. Y. It 
is the highest hind between the 
Connecticut and Hudson rivers. 

Peterljorowgh, BT. H. 

Hillsborough co. This town lies 
midway between Amherst and 
Keene, being 20 miles from each. 
Itis 75 miles W. S. W. from Ports- 
mouth, 60 N. W. from Boston, and 
40 S. W. from Concord. Peterbo- 
rough lies in a N. E. direction from 
the Grand Monadnock,and is bound- 
ed on the E. by a chain of hills 
called Pack Monadanck. Contoo- 
cook river runs in a N. E. and N. 
direction through the centre of the 
town, affording several good privi- 
leges for mills and factoiies. The 
N. branch, from Dublin, originating 
partly from waters near the JMonad- 
nock, and partly from Long, or 
Hunt's pond, lying in Nelson and 
Hancock, affords a never-failing 
supply of water, and furnishes those 
noble falls, on which are situated 
several factories. There are ex- 
tensive and valuable meadows on 
this branch, above these falls; and 
the soil generally throughout the 
town is excellent. In the centre 
of the town is a high hill, on which 
is situated the meeting house, at an 
elevation of 200 feet above the riv- 
er. The chain of hills on the E. is 
distinguished by two principal sum- 
mits. Between these summits is a 
depression of a quarter part of the 
mountain's height. About 60 rods 
W. of the ridge, or summit of this 
depression, on an embeachment of 
the mountain, is a pond of about 
9 acres extent, very deep and re- 
plenished with fish, at an elevation 
of 200 feet above the site of the 
meeting house. There are rocks 
in several places which afford indi- 
cations of sulphur, and crumble on 
exposure to the sun and air. Iron 
ore of an excellent quality has been 
discovered, but as yet in small 
quantities. Peterborough was grant- 
ed in 173S, by the government of 
Massachusetts to Samuel Heyvvood 



and others. The first settlement 
took place in 1739. In 1759 there 
were 45 families, and on the 17th 
Jan., the next jear, the town was 
incorporated. The first settlers of 
Peterborough were Scotch Presby- 
terians, from Ireland, or their im- 
mediate descendants. Wholly un- 
used to clearing and cultivating of 
wild lands, they endured great hard- 
ships. Their nearest gristmill was 
at Townsend, 25 miles distant — 
their road, a line of marked trees. 
The first male child born here, was 
John Richie ; he was born Feb 22, 
1751, and died in the service of his 
country at Cambridge, in 1776. — 
Population, 1S30, 1,931. 

Fetersliaiil, Mass. 

Worcester co. Petersham is a 
very pleasant town, elevated on a 
swell of fertile land, and pre- 
senting a fine prospect of many 
of the neighboring towns. It was 
first settled about the year 1732, and 
was called by the Indians JYasha- 
wang. Swift river waters a part 
of the town, and affords a water 
power. There is a woolen mill in 
the town; and manufactures of 
palm-leaf hats, leather, boots, shoes, 
chairs, and cabinet ware : total an- 
nual value, about $60,000. It lies 
62 miles W. by N. from Boston, and 
27 N. W. from Worcester. Popula- 
tion, 1837, 1,731. Incorporated, 
1751. 

PMllips, Me. 

Franklin co. This town is wa- 
tered by Sandy river. It lies 53 
miles N. W. from Augusta, and 15 
N. W. from Farmington. Incorpo- 
rated, 1812. Pop. 1830, 954 ; 1837, 
1 ,233. Wheat crop, in 1837, 6,238 
bushels. 

Pliillipst on, Mass. 

Worcester co. There is a large 
pond in this town, the source of 
Burnshint river. This pleasant town 
was taken from Athol and Temple- 
ton, in 1786. It was called Gerry 
until 1812. The manufactures of 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



the town consist of cotton and 
woolen goods, palm-leaf hats, leath- 
er, boots and shoes ; annual value, 
about $75,000. It lies 5S miles N. 
W. by W. from Boston, and 25 N. 
W. from Worcester. Population, 
1837, 8S7. 

Pliipsburgli, me. 

Lincoln co. This is a maritime 
town at the mouth of Kennebec riv- 
er, on the west side, 40 miles S. 
from Augusta, and 18 S. W. from 
Wiscasset. Population, 1837, 1,430. 
It consists of a peninsula of land, 
of about 15 miles in length, and 
from two to four miles in width, ly- 
ing between Kennebec river, on 
the east, and New Meadows, or 
Stevens' river, on the west, and ex- 
tending from .Small Point, the east- 
ern boundary of Casco bay, to the 
town of Bath on the north. It con- 
tains a U. S. fort, and Seguin and 
Pond islands, on which are light 
houses. 

Phipsburgh was taken from the 
ancient town of Bristol, in 1816", 
and named in honor of Governor 
Phips, who was born in Bristol. 

Governor Phips lived in the wil- 
derness of Maine till he was eigh- 
teen years of age, and was then an 
apprentice to a ship-carpenter four 
years. He went to Boston, and 
learned to read and write. He chose 
to seek his fortune on the sea, and 
had the good luck to discover the 
wreck of a very valuable Spanish 
vessel on the coast of Hispaniola, 
and by tlie aid of the British gov- 
ernment succeeded in fishing up 
plate, pearls and jewels, amounting 
in value to three hundred thousand 
pounds sterling, with which he 
sailed to England in 1687. He ob- 
tained by his enterprise sixteen 
thousand pounds, and the honor of 
knighthood. He returned to Bos- 
ton in 1G90, and commanded the 
expedition against Port Royal, 
which place he captured. When 
the new charter of Massachu- 
setts was obtained he was appointed 



the first governor under it. He ar- 
rived at Boston, as governor, in 1()92. 
In 1694, in a dispute with the col- 
lector of the port. Sir William so 
far forgot his dignity as to descend 
to blows. He was removed from 
otfice, and returned to England. 
He received assurance of being re- 
stored, but before that event hap- 
pened he died, in 1695, aged 44. 

Phipsburgh has considerable 
trade and navigation. Ship build- 
ing is pursued, and fishing is a. 
source of profit. There is no bet- 
ter site for fishing establishments 
on the coast. It is a very pleasant 
town, and an agreeable location to 
court the sea breezes in summer. 

Piermont, X. H., 

Grafton co., is bounded N. by 
Plavcrhill. It is 65 miles N. 
N. W. from Concord. The .soil, 
especially on the Connecticut, is 
good. The meadows, or intervales, 
are extensive, and in some instan- 
es highly cultivated. The mead- 
ows are composed of sandy loam, 
in some places inclined to marie, 
and arc favorable to the growth of 
wheat, corn and every kind of grain. 
Back from the river the town is 
made up of swells of fine grazing 
and mowing land, well watered with 
brooks and springs. In the N. E. 
part of the town are three consid- 
erable ponds, called Eastman's 
ponds. From these ponds issues 
Eastman's brook, which, passing in 
a S. E. direction, falls into Connec- 
ticut river, forming a number of 
excellent mill scats. Indian brook, 
on which mills are erected, is in the 
S. part. The settlement commenc- 
ed in 1770. Population, in 1830, 
1,042. 

Pilot Mountain, IV. II. 

See Kilkenny. 

Piscataqita River, N. H. 

The only large river whose entire 
course is in New Hampshire, is 
formed by the junction of several 



NEAV ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



small streams in a wide and deep 
bed ; hollowed out partly by them, 
and partly by the tide. The names 
of these streams, beoinning at the 
northeast, are Salmon Fall, Coche- 
co, Bellamy bank, Oyster, Lamprey, 
Squamscnt, and Winnicut rivers. 
The five last unite their waters in 
a large and irregular bay between 
Durham and Greenland, more re- 
sembling a lake than a river. The 
waters of this bay meet those of 
Salmon Fall and Cocheco rivers, 
coming from the northwest at Hil- 
ton's point, a few miles below Do- 
ver. After this junction, they pro- 
ceed in a direct line to the south- 
east ; and join the ocean 2 or 3 miles 
below Portsmouth; embosoming 
several islands, and forming one of 
the best harbors on the continent. 
Few rivers make a more magnifi- 
cent appearance than this ; yet the 
sti'cams by which it is supplied are 
small. Salmon P\ill furnishes more 
than all the rest. This stream is 
called JSTewichawannock from the 
falls in Berwick till it receives the 
waters of the Cocheco ; but the 
name of Piscataqua ought to be ap- 
plied to the whole of Salmon Fall 
river. 

Piscataquis River, Me. 

The head waters of this river are 
found in the high lands which sep- 
arate the waters of Penobscot and 
Kennebec rivers. Its length is about 
65 miles, passing in a course nearly 
east. It has many tiibutaries, of 
which Sebec and Pleasant rivers, 
and Seboois stream, from the north, 
are the largest. In its course it 
fertilizes large tracts of country, 
and gives to the towns through 
which it passes a good hydraulic 
power. 

Piscataquis County, Me. 

JJoDfr, chief town. This county 
was incorporated, March 23, 1838. 
Its territory is thus described in the 
act of incorporation, to wit : 



" That from and after the last 
day of Api'il next, all that portion 
of territory lying north of the south 
lines of Parkman and Wellington, 
in the county of Somerset, and lying 
north of the north lines of the towns 
of Dexter, Garland, Charleston, 
Bradford, and south line of Kilmar- 
nock, in the county of Penobscot; 
and bounded east by the east lines of 
Milton, Kilmarnock and townships 
numbered four in the eighth and 
ninth ranges ; and thence bounded 
east by a line running north from 
the northeast corner of said town- 
ship numbeied four, in the ninth 
range, to the north line of the state ; 
and bounded on the west by the 
west lines of Wellington, Kings- 
bury, Shirley, and township number 
two in the fifth range ; and thence 
bounded west by a line running 
noi-th fiom the northwest corner 
of said township number two, to the 
Kennebec river; thence up and by 
the southerly bank of said river to 
Moose Head lake ; thence bounded 
westerly by the westeily margin 
of said lake, to the northwest angle 
of said lake — and thence bounded 
west by a line running north, to the 
noith line of the state — be and the 
same is hereby constituted and 
made a county by the name of," &c. 
This county is therefore bounded 
N. W.and N. by the British pos- 
sessions in Lowei- Canada, E. by the 
county of Penobscot, S. by the 
counties of Penobscot and Somer- 
set, and W. by Somerset county. 
There are numerous lakes and ponds 
in the county, the largest of which 
are the Moose Head, Chesuncook 
and Pemadurncook. The county is 
crossed by the Piscataquis, Penob- 
scot and Walloomstook rivers, but 
most of its excellent mill streams, 
of which there are many, rise with- 
in the county, from its own natural 
sources. There are some consider- 
able elevations, the largest of which 
is Katalulin Mountain. The char- 
acter of the surface and soil of Pis- 
cataquis county is generally that of 



NKW ENGLAND GAZETTEER 



Penobscot and Somerset counties, 
from which it was) taken. 

Piscataquog Iliver, N. II., 

Is formed of two principal branch" 
es, one from Francestown, the othe'" 
from Hennikcr and Deerins;, which 
unite and form the main .streain near 
the W. line of Goftsfown. It pur- 
sues a southeasterly course through 
GofT^town and thi; N. E. corner of 
Bedford, where it falls into Merri- 
mack river. 

Piscataquog Villagk, on 
this river and near its mouth, is a 
thriving and ])leasant village, situ- 
ate in the N. E. part of IJedford. A 
handsome bridge is constructed over 
the Piscataquog, in this village, 60 
feet in length. Since the Union 
Canal commenced operation, the 
boating business to this place has 
been carried on with much success. 
On the S. side of the liver, below 
this village, is a public landing- 
place, extending to llie Merrimack, 
and from this place lumber of all 
descriptions from the circumjacent 
country, is conveyed down the riv- 
er to market by rafts and boats to 
Newburyport,and through the Mid- 
dlesex canal to Cbarlestown and 
Boston. The rise and present nour- 
ishing appearance of this village is 
owing in a great measure to the 
enterprise and industry of William 
Parker and Isaac Riddle, esquires, 
who were the first to commence 
the mercantile business in tliis 
place. 

Pittsfleld, Me. 

Somerset co. This is a town of 
excellent soil, and a branch of Se- 
basticook river rises in the S. E. 
corner. The inhabitants arc gen- 
erally good and thriving farmers. 
Pittstield was incorporated in 1819. 
Wheat crop, IS.'i?, 4,S69 bushels. 
Population, 1830, 609 ; IS37, 836. 
.It lies 38 miles N. N. E. from Au- 
gusta, and 20 E. from Norridgewock. 



Pittsfield, ]V. II. 

Merrimack co. The surface of 
Pittstield is pleasantly varied, with 
a good soil. Suncook river passes 
through the town, aflbrding good 
mill privileges. Catamount moun- 
tain stretches across the S. E. partoi 
the town, from the summit of which 
delightful views are obtained. There 
are a number of ponds in the town ; 
west of which the magnetic-needle 
varies materially. Beriy's pond is on 
the mountain : — it is half a mile in 
length, and is supplied by mountain 
springs. There is a neat ;iud tlour- 
isliing village in Pittstield ; a large 
cotton mill, a scythe factory, and an 
academy. 

Thistown was first settled in 1784. 
Population, 1830, 1,271. It is 16 
miles N. E. from Concord. 

Pittsfield, Vt. 

Rutland co. Tweed river is form- 
ed in this town, by two branches, 
which afford mill seats: it empties 
into While river, which passes 
thi'ough the N. E. corner. The 
surface of the town is mountainous, 
and the soil hard. Pittsfield was 
first settled in 1786. Population, 
1830, 505. It lies 35 miles S. S. W. 
from Montpelier, and 17 N. E. from 
Rutland. 

Pittsfield, Mai^s. 

Berkshire co. This large manu- 
factui'ing and agricultural town, a 
mart of trade for a large section of 
country, lies 125 miles W. froni 
BosTon, 5 N. from Lenox, and 33 E. 
from Albany, N. Y. Po[)ulation, 
1837, 3,575. The settlement of 
this place, the Indian Pnntoosuck, 
was commenced in 1736. It was 
incorporated in 1761. It was a fron- 
tier town for some years, and garri- 
sons were erected tor the protection 
of the inhaiiitants against the in- 
roads of the savages. The town is 
finely watered by two branches of 
the Housatonick, which unite near 
its centre. There are in Pittsfield 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



6 woolen and 2 cotton mills, and 
manufactures of muskets, iron cast- 
ings, tin ware, leather, hats, car- 
riages, prunella buttons, chairs, 
corn brooms, cabinet ware, &c. ; 
total amount, the year ending April 
1,1837, $(>S8,71(). The value of 
12,962 fleeces of wool sheared in 
the town the same year, was 
$19,443. Pittsfield is one of the 
pleasantest towns in New England : 
it lies 1,000 feet above the level of 
the sea, in a fertile valley between 
the Taughkannick and Green moun- 
tain ranges. The village is well 
located, and contains many beauti- 
ful buildings, which, with the tine 
scenery and well cultivated farms 
that surround it, presents a great 
variety to charm the eye and to 
gratify the taste of the intelligent 
agriculturalist. 

There arc in Pittsfield a medical 
institution, a female academy, &c., 
which will be noticed in the Reg- 
ister. 

Pittsford, Vt. 

Rutland co. Otter creek mean- 
ders through this very pleasant and 
flourishing town, nearly in its cen- 
tre, and fertilizes a large part of 
its territory. Furness river afibrds 
the town good privileges, on which 
are large iron works and other man- 
ufactories. Iron ore of a very fine 
quality, and elastic marble, are 
abundant; also, the oxide of man- 
ganese. The agricultural produc- 
tions are valuable. In 18:>7 there 
were in the town 12, .368 sheep. A 
female child was born here in 1784, 
who died at the age of 9 years, and 
weighed 200 pounds. Pittsford was 
first settled about the year 1770. — 
It was a frontier town for a num- 
ber of years. The remains of Fort 
Vengence are still vi-^ible. This 
town lies 44 miles S. W. from Mont- 
pelier, and 8 N. from Rutland. — 
Population, 1830, 2,00.5. 

Pittston, Me. 

Kennebec co. Pittston is a pleas- 



ant town, on the east side of Ken- 
nebec river, opposite to Gardiner; 
7 miles .S. by E. from Augusta. It 
is a floui-ishing town, of good soil, 
and has several ponds and mill 
streams, and a considerable busii»es3 
in the lumber trade. Incorporated, 
1779. Population, 1837, 2,121.— 
Wheat crop, same year, 2,231 bush- 
els. 

Plaiiifleld, ]V. H., 

Sullivan co., lies on Connecticut 
river. It is 12 miles S. fiom Dart- 
mouth college, and N. W. 55 from 
Concord. There is considerable 
valuable intervale, on Connecticut 
river, and in other parts are excel- 
lent meadows. There are two 
ponds. At the S. W. part of this 
town, in Coriuecticut river, is Hart's 
island, which contains 19 acre-;. — 
VV'aterquecchy falls are in this town. 
A bridge was ei-ected here in 1807. 
A small stream, flowing fiom Croy- 
don mountains, waters the town. — 
Plainfield lias a ph-asant village, 
situated on a handsome plain, 
thiough the centre of whicli the 
street passes N. and S. On a pleas- 
ant eminence in Meriden parish is 
located " The Union Academy," in- 
corporated June 16, 1813. It is en- 
dowed with a permanent fund of 
,$40,000, the liberal bequest of the 
late Hon. Daniel Kimball, the 
interest of which, as directed by 
his last will, is to be applied as fol- 
lows, viz: $150 annually to the 
support of a Calvini^tic preacher, 
and the remainder for the instruc- 
tion of pious young men for tlie 
ministry. This seminary is in a 
flourishing condition. Plainfield 
was granted in 1761, and was settled 
in 1764. Population, 18.30, 1,581. 

PlaiJifield, Vt. 

Washington co. First settled, 
1794. Population, 1830, 874. it 
lies 8 miles E. from Montpelier, and 
21 from Newbury. At the junc- 
tion of Onion river and Great brook, 
in this town, is a neat village with 



NKW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



some niaiuif;ictiirin2; operations by 
wat(M-. There is a iiiiiier;il sjjrin;:; 
in the town of some note, and a line 
trout pond. The soil is generally of 
a £;ood quality, and feeds about 
3,000 sheep. 

Plaiufii'ld, 7Iass. 

Hampshire co. This town is 
elevated on the Green mountain 
j-ange, at the N. W. corner of the 
county, and watered by the upper 
branches of Westtield river. — 
Altliough the surface is rough and 
mountainous, yet the soil is excel- 
lent for pasturage, and produces some 
fine cattle. In 1837, the fleeces of 
0.772 sheep, sheared in this town, 
were valued at .•?!5,37!). There are 
2 woolen mills, and manufactures of 
boots, shoes, leather, |)alm-leaf hats, 
chairs, cabinet ware,ii.c ; total an- 
nual value about ifi 10,000. Piain- 
tield lies 110 miles W. by N. from 
Boston, and 20 N. V»'. from North- 
ampton. Incorporated, 17^.5. Pop- 
ulation, 1837, 865. 

Plaiiiflcltl, Ct. 

Win^Iham co. Moo-<cup river af- 
fords this town a good water power, 
on which, in tiic pleasant villages of 
Unionvillc and Centreville, are 
considerable manufactures of cot- 
ton and woolen goods. This town 
was incorporated in 1700: a part 
of the land is broken and stony, but 
in the western section there is an 
extensive plain, of a light sandy 
loam, noted for its adaptation to the 
.H,rowtli of coin and other grain. — 
fn olden times this plain was called 
the Egypt ol'lhc surrounding coun- 
try. 

The village is on a commanding 
eminence, from which there i< an 
extensive prospect, and in which is 
one of the best academies in the 
state ; incorporated in 17S3. It lies 
41 !•:. from Hartford, and 8 S. by E. 
from Brooklyn. Population, 18.30, 
2,290. 

28 



Plaistow, N. II. 

Rockingham co. It lies 36 miles 
S. S. K. from Concord, and 30 S. \V. 
from I'ortsmouth. Plaistow wasor- 
riginally a part of Haverhill, Mass., 
and included in the purchase of the 
Indians in 1612. Among the first 
seltlei's wctie Capt. Chaides Bartlett, 
ISicholas White, Esq., Dea. Benja- 
min Kimball and J. Harriman. — 
Their posterity now inhabit the 
town. After it became annexed to 
New Hampshire, a charter was 
granted in 1749. The soil of this 
town is good, being a mixture of 
black loam, clay and gravel. Popu- 
lation, in 1830, 591. 

Piatt River, Vt. 

This small but good mill stream 
rises in a poml in Richmond ; pass- 
es through IliiiesbMrgh, and a cor- 
ner of Chai-lotte, and falls into 
Shelbiirne ba)-. 

Pleasant Rivers, J^Je. 

Pleasant Eiver, in Washington 
cotmty, I'ises from a pond in Bed- 
diiigion, and passing in a N. E. di- 
rection fulls in[oFl(<isant rii^cr hoi/, 
wiiich lies E. from Naraguagus bay, 
and is connected with tiiat bay, at 
its mouth. 

Pleasant River, Pi-^cataquis coun- 
ty, is an important mill stream ; a 
tributary of the Piscataquis, from 
tlie north. It receives the two 
Ebcenie branches, as they are call- 
ed, about 15 miles from its mouth, 
in Milo. 

Fliiiu Island, Mass. 

See JWwbury. 

Plyiiioutli, Me. 

Penobscot CO. This is a fine 
township of land, watered by beau- 
tiful ponds, and a valuable branch 
of Sebasticook river. It lies 45 
miles N. E. from Augusta, and 23 
W. from Bangoi-. Wheat crop, 1837, 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



4,530 bushels. Population, same 
year, 791. Incorporated, 1826. 

Plymoutli, N. H., 

The half shire of Grafton county, 
is 75 miles N. W. from Portsmouth, 
31 S. E. from Haverhill, ami 40 N. 
from Concord. This town is well 
watered. Besides numerous small- 
er streams, there are two rivers, 
Pemigewasset and Baker's, both of 
which are of considerable impor- 
tance. They take their rise in the 
height of land between the Con- 
necticut and Merrimack, called the 
eastern ridge. Baker's river is 30 
miles in length. The soil is tolera- 
bly good, and in general is well cul- 
tivated. Holmes' academy is situ- 
ated in this town, and is a very flour- 
ishing school. Plymouth was gr;int- 
ed in 17G3. The first settlement 
commenced in 17(54. The inter- 
vales in this town were formerly the 
resort of Indians for hunting. At 
the mouth of Baker's river they 
had a settlement, where Indian 
graves, bones, &c., have been 
found : also gun barrels, stone 
mortars, pestles, and other utensils. 
Here, it is said, the Indians were 
attacked by Capt. Baker and a party 
from Haverhill, Mass., who defeat- 
ed them, killed a number and de- 
stroyed a large quantity of fur. — 
From him. Baker's river derives its 
name. Population, in 1S30, 1,175. 

Plymoutli, Vt. 

Windsor co. Two mountains in 
this town rise to a considerable ele- 
vation, one of which, Mount Tom, 
is quite abrupt. The soil is gener- 
ally good for grazing, and consider- 
able products of the dairy are sent 
to market. Black and Queechy 
rivers take their rise here, and af- 
ford mill privileges. There are a 
number of natural ponds in the 
town, which furnish a great sup- 
ply of trout and other fish. Among 
the lime stone rocks which abound 
in this town are numerous caves, 
some of which are very large, and 



curious. Extensive beds of soap- 
stone are found here. 

Plymouth lies 52 miles S. from 
Montpelier, and 15 W. by N. from 
Windsor. Population, 1830, 1,237. 
First settled, 1776. 

Plyiuoutli County, Mass. 

Plymoxith, chief town. The soil 
of this most ancient county in New 
England, is not so productive as that 
of many others in Massachusetts ; 
yet there is considerable good land 
within its limits. It has a great 
water power, which is more partic- 
ularly applied to the manufacture 
of iron ware, of all sorts, both 
wrought and cast. It has an abun- 
dant supply of iron ore, of a supe- 
rior quality. This county has a sea 
coast on Massachusetts bay, of be- 
tween 30 and 40 miles, and many 
sliips are built in its numerous ports 
of native white oak. This county 
has considerable foreign commerce; 
but its shipping is principally en- 
gaged in the fishing business and 
coasting trade. It is bounded N. 
E. by Massachusetts bay, N. by 
Norfolk county, and Boston harbor, 
W. and N. W. by Norfolk county, 
S. W. by Biistol county, and S. E. 
by Buzzard's bay, and Barnstable 
county. Area, about 600 square 
miles. This county was incorpoi'- 
ated in 1^35. Population, 182(;, 
3S,136: 1830,42,993; 1837,40,253. 
Population, to a square mile, 77. — 
The North river, emptying into 
Massachusetts bay, and numerous 
branches of the Taunton, are its 
chief rivers. 

In 1837, there were in this coun- 
ty 11,410 sheep. The value of the 
manufactures, the year ending 
April 1, 1837, was $4,896,907.— 
The value of the fishery, during the 
same period, was .$582,419. 

Plymoutli, Masa. 

Plymouth co. Chief town. This 
place is full of interest, it being the 
oldest settlement by Europeans in 
New England, and the landing 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



place of our forefathers on the 22(1 of 
December. 1620. Its Indian name 
was Patuxet. Plymouth lies 35 
miles S. E. by S. from 15ostoii : N. 
lat. 41° 57' 30". W. Ion. 70° 40' 
45". Population, 1830, 4,.3S4 ; 1837, 
5,034. Incorporated, l()20. 
"Plymouth was the first town built 
in New England by civilized man ; 
and those by whom it was built 
were inferior in worth to no body 
of men, whose names arc recorded 
in history, during the last seventeen 
hundred years. A kind ofvener- 
ableness, arising from these facts, 
attaches to this town, which may 
be termed a prejudice. Still, it has 
its foundation in the nature of man, 
and will never be eradicated cither 
by philosophy or ridicule. No 
New Englander, who is willing to 
indulge his native feelings, can 
stand upon the rock, where our an- 
cestors set the first foot after their 
arrival on the American shore, 
without experiencing emotions very 
different from those which are ex- 
cited by any common object of the 
same nature. No New Englander 
could be willing to have that rock 
buried and forgotten. Let him 
reason as much, as coldly, and as 
ingeniously as he pleases, he will 
still regard that spot with emotions 
wholly different from those which 
are excited by other places of equal 
or even superior importance. We 
cannot wish this trait in the human 
character obliterated. In a higher 
state of being, where truth is uni- 
versally as well as cordially embiac- 
ed, and virtue controls without a 
rival, this prejudice, if it must be 
called by that name, will become 
useless, and may, therefore, be 
safely discarded. But in our pres- 
ent condition, every attachment, 
which is innocent, has its use, and 
contributes both to fix and to soften 
man. When we call to mind the 
history of their sufferings on both 
sides of the Atlantic, when we re- 
member their pre-eminent patience, 
their unspotted piety, their immove- 



able fortitude, their undaunted re- 
solution, their love to each other, 
their justice and humanity to the 
savages, and there freedom from all 
those stains winch elsewhere spot- 
ted the character even of their com- 
panions in alHiction, we cannot but 
view them as illustrious brothers, 
claiming the veneration and ap- 
plause of all their posterity. 

The institutions, civil, literary, 
and religious, by vvhich New Eng- 
land is distinguished on this side the 
Atlantic, began here. Here the 
manner of holding lands in free 
soccage, now universal in this coun- 
try, commenced. Here the right 
of suft'erage was imparted to every 
citizen, to every inhabitant not dis- 
qualified by poverty or vice. Here 
was formed the first establishment 
of towns, of the local legislature, 
which is called a town meeting, and 
of the peculiar town executive, 
styled the selectmen. Here the 
first parochial school was set up, 
and the system originated for com- 
municating to every child in the 
community the knowledge of read- 
ing, writing, and arithmetic. Here, 
also, the first building was erected 
for the worship of God ; the first 
religious assembly gathered ; and 
the first minister called and settled, 
by the voice of the church and con- 
gregation. On these simple found- 
ations has since been erected a 
structure of good order, peace, lib- 
erty, knowledge, morals and relig- 
ion, with which nothing on this side 
the Atlantic can bear a remote com- 
parison." 

The land in this town is generally 
hilly, and sandy ; but there is a 
border of considerable extent on 
the sea board, having been well cul- 
tivated, consisting of a rich loamy 
soil, and capable of yielding large 
crops. 

The town is watered by Eel and 
Wonkinqua rivers. Town, Willings- 
ly and Double brooks, and more 
than 200 ponds, the largest of whicli 
is called Billini'ton Sea. "This 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



was formerly called Fresh Lake. 
It was discovered about the 1st of 
January, 1621, by Francis Billing- 
ton, while mounted on a tree 
standing on a hill. It was in the 
midst of a thick forest, and when 
seen at a distance, Billington sup- 
posed it to be another sea. On the 
8th of January, he went with one 
of the master's mates, to view the 
place. They found two lakes con- 
tiguous, separated by a narrow space; 
the largest is about six miles in 
circumference, and is the far famed 
Billington Sea. It is about two 
miles southwest from the town, and 
from it issues the Town brook. In 
this pond there are two small isl- 
ands. The largest, containing about 
two acres, having been planted 
with apple-trees, produces excel- 
lent fruit. This pond is well stock- 
ed with pickerel and perch. The 
majestic eagle is frequently seen 
cowering over this pond, and has 
forages built its nest in the bi'anch- 
es of the trees, visiting the flats in 
the harbor at low tide in pursuit of 
fish and birds. Loons, and the beau- 
tiful wood-duck produce their young 
in sequestered retreats about this 
pond, annually. 

The fallow deer, tenacious of 
their ancient place of rendezvous, 
continue to visit this pond for drink, 
and to browse on its margin. For 
many years this beautiful pond was 
a favorite resort for social parties. 
A house was erected on the bank, a 
pleasure-boat was in the pond, and 
tea-parties and lishing-parlies unit- 
ed in the happiest enjoyu)ents. 

There are on the I'oad to Sand- 
wich, in the woods, two rocks call- 
ed Sacrifice rocks. They are cov- 
ered with sticks and stones, which 
have been accumulating for centu- 
ries. It was the constant practice 
among the aboriginals, to throw a 
stone, or stick on the rock in pass- 
ing. The late Rev. Mr. Hawley, 
who spent many years among the 
natives atMarshpee, endeavored to 
learn from them the design of this 



singular rite, hut could only con- 
jecture that it was an acknowledg- 
ment of an invisible Being, the un- 
known God whom this people wor- 
shipped. This pile was their altar. 
Burying Hill, formerly Fort 
Hill. Immediately in the rear of 
the town is a hill, rising 165 feet 
above the sea level, embracing about 
eight acres. On the summit of the 
southwest side, the pilgi-ims erect- 
ed first some temporary defence, 
but, in 1675, on the approach of 
Piiilip's war they ei-ected a strong 
fort, 100 feet square, strongly palis- 
adoed, ten and a half feet high. — 
No other place could have been so 
well chosen, either for discovering 
the approach of savages, or for de- 
fending the town against their at- 
tacks. Tlie settlement was rend- 
ered perfectly secure, and spiings 
of water were at their command. 
The whole circuit of the fort is still 
distinctly visible, a watch-house of 
brick was also built near the fort. 

The view presented Irom this 
eminence, embracing the harbor 
and the shores of the bay for miles 
around, is not, perhaps, inferior to 
any in the country. Let the anti- 
quarian come at full tide and when 
the billovvs are calmed, and seat 
himself on this mount, that he may 
survey the incomparable landscape, 
and enjoy the interesting asso- 
ciations with which he will be in- 
spired. Immediately beneath the 
hill lies the town in full view, and 
beyond tliis the harbor and ship- 
ping. The harbor is a beautiful 
expanse of water, bounded on the S. 
by Manomet point, and near which 
commences a beach three miles in 
length, breasting the rolling biHows 
of the bay, and serving as a barrier 
to the wharves ; and on the N. E. 
by a promontory extending from 
Marshlitld, called the Gurnet, on 
the point of which stands the light- 
house. 

These several points, together 
with the opposite shores, complete- 
ly enclose the harbor, having 



NKW ENGLAN'D C AZr.TTF.F.R. 



Clark's Islaml ami Saquish in its 
bosom. Bcyoiui the^e points opens 
the great bay of Massachusetts, 
bounded at the southern extremity 
by the peninsula of' ("ape Cod, 
which is distinctly visible, and 
spreading boundless to the north- 
east. On the N. appears the flour- 
ishing village of Duxbury, shooting 
into the bay, and exhibiting a hand- 
some conical liill, ever to be re- 
membered as once the property and 
residence of the gallant iStandish. 
Between Duxbury and Plymouth, 
is the harbor and pleasant village 
of Kingston. Having taken a sur- 
vey of this magnificent group, so 
exceedingly endeared to the New 
England antiquarian, and enjoyed a 
spiritual vision of the Rlayliower, 
laden with men, women and chil- 
dren, come as founders of a mighty 
empire, we are next led to view a 
scene of more solemn contempla- 
tion. The wliole extent of the hill 
is covered with the symbols of mor- 
tality, the sepulchres of our vener- 
ated fathers. We tread on the ash- 
es of some of those to whom we are 
indebted, under Providence, for our 
most precious earthly enjoj-ments, 
all that is valuable in life, much of 
principle and example which are 
consoling in death. With what so- 
licitude do we search for a sepul- 
chral stone bearing the names of 
Carver, Bradford, and their glorious 
associates. 

The following are the mo^t an- 
cient monuments which can be 
traced within this enclosure : — 

Here lies tlie body of Edward Gray, 
Gent., aged about fifty-two years, and 
departed this life the last of June, 
1681. 

Here lyes ye body of ye Honorable 
Major William Bradford, who expired 
February ye 20, 17U.3-1, aged 79 years. 

He lived long, but still w;is 
doing good, 

And in his country's sen-ice lost 
much bhiod. 

After a life well spent he's now 
at rest — 

His very nainc ajid memory is blest. 

28* 



Tliere are in Plymouth 3 cotton 
mills, 3 luiil factories, and manufac- 
tures of vessels, cordage, boots, 
shoes, leather, hats, straw bonnets, 
chairs, tin and cabinet wares: — the 
value of which for the year ending 
April l,is;n, was $.508,932. Dur- 
ing that year there were 4 vessels 
engaged in the whale fishery, 45 in 
the cod and mackerel fishery, and a 
large number of vessels employed 
in the merchant service and coast- 
ing trade, 'i'onnage of the district, 
in 1S:J7, 2G,f)3.5 tons. The product 
of the fishery, the same year, was 
$154,636. 

Tlie corner stone of Pilgrim 
Hall was laid in this town on the 
1st of September, 1824. This edi- 
fice is 70 by 40 fcQ,t, with walls of 
unwrought split granite ; the height 
from the top of the foundation to 
the cave curnice being about 3.*} 
feet, forms two stories. The low- 
er room is about 10 feet in the clear 
of the ceiling; and the upper to 
the impost moulding about 20 feet, 
to which being added the curve of 
the ceiling is about 23 feet. It is 
intended, as soon as the state of the 
funds will justify, to form the front 
by an addition of about 20 feet, 
with a double tier of steps, having- 
entrance to the upper room and by 
descent to the lower. The front to 
be finished with a Doric portico on 4 
columns, of about 20 feet in height, 
the base of which to be from 3 to 
4 feet above the level of the 
street. The situation presents a 
full view of the river and outer 
harbor. 

An Aiijiiversary Commemora- 
tion of the landing of the pilgrims 
commenced in Plymovith on the 
22d of December, 17<i9, and will, 
we trust, be continued in Pili^rim 
Hall, so long as the virtues, unpar- 
alleled sufferings, and the conscien- 
tious perfi)rmance of the duties of 
piety and benevolence of our pil- 
grim fathers are held in veneration 
by a grateful posteritj'. Sec Rtg- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



ister, and Thachers History of 
Plymouth. 

Plymouth, Ct. 

Litchfield co. Plymouth lies 22 
miles W. S. W. from Hartford, 31 
N. by W. from New Haven, and 
12 S. E. from Litchfield. Taken 
from Waterbury in 1795. Popula- 
tion, 1830, 2,064. The surface of 
the town is rough and hilly, with a 
strong, gravelly soil, well adapted 
for grazing. The Naugatuck affords 
an ample water power, which is 
improved for the manufacture of 
cotton goods, clocks, &c. 

The manufacture of small wood- 
en clocks, it is believed, originated 
with Mr. Terry, of this town, about 
20 years ago ; since that period, the 
manufacture of wooden clocks has 
been widely extended, and forms a 
very important branch of the man- 
ufactures in this part of the state. 

Plympton, Mass. 

Plymouth co. This town is wa- 
tered by a branch of Taunton river. 
It lies 32 miles S. E. by S. from 
Boston, and 8 W. from Plymouth. 
Incorporated, 1707. Population, 
1837, 835. The manufactures of 
the town consist of cotton and wool- 
en goods, nails, shovels, spades, 
hoes, forks, hoop rivets, shoes, leath- 
er, palm-leaf hats, chairs and cabi- 
net ware ; annual amount about 
$100,000. The Indian name of 
Plympton was JVanatuxet. 

A noble white oak was cut in this 
town a few years ago. It contain- 
ed seven tons and seven feet of ship 
timber, and two cords of fire wood. 

Poge, Cape, Mass. 

This cape forms the northern ex- 
tremity of Chappequiddic island, a 
part of Dukes county. 

Poland, Me. 

Cumberland co. Poland is situ- 
ated on Little Androscoggin river, 
6 miles above Lewiston falls. It is 
44 miles S. W. from Augusta, and 



26 N. from Portland. Incorporated, 
1795. Population, 1837, 2,251.— 
Wheat crop, same year, 3,965 bush- 
els. This is an excellent farming 
town with good mill privileges, sev- 
eral ponds, and a pleasant village. 

A family consisting of about 70 
of that curious people denomina- 
ted " Shakers," reside in Poland. 
They possess about 600 acres of 
choice land. They are attached to 
the society at New Gloucester, 
about a mile distant. Their village 
is on a beautiful ennnence. To 
say that their village is neat and 
handsome, and that their lands and 
gardens are well improved, would 
be superfluous. See Canterbury, 
jV.H. 

Pomfiet, Vt. 

Windsor co. First settled, 1770. 
Population, 1830, 1,867. Pomfret 
lies 43 miles N. by E. from Mont- 
pelier and 20 N. N. W. from Wind- 
sor. The town is watered by AVhite 
and Queechy rivers. The surface 
is hilly, but the soil is generally 
good, particularly for grazing : — it 
pastures about 8000 siieep. Pom- 
fret contains a mineral substance, 
said to prove a good substitute for 
paint. 

Pomfret, Ct. 

Windham co. Pomfret was first 
settled in 1680. Incorporated, 1713. 
Its Indian name was JMushainoquet. 
The surface of the town is pleasantly 
diversified by hills and valleys: from 
some of the elevations, delightful 
views are obtained. The soil is 
deep, strong and fertile, and, al- 
though somewhat stony, is very 
productive, and exceedingly well 
adapted for grazing. A considera- 
ble amount of the productions of the 
dairy are sent to market. The 
Quinnebaug and sevei-al of its 
branches water the town, and flour- 
ishing manufacturing establish- 
ments of cotton and other materials 
are springing up within its borders. 
Pomfret lies 40 miles E. by N. from 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



Hartford, 7 N. from Brooklyn and 
30 W. fiorii Providence, R. 1. Pop- 
ulation, 1S30, 1,981. 

Pomfret contains the "Wolf Den," 
celebrated lor the bold exploit of 
the «;allant Putnam, who resided 
here some years. He died at Brook- 
lyn, in this state, in 1790. 

The aperture to this den or cave, 
which is situated under a high ledge 
of rocks, is about two feet square. 
It is about forty feet in length, nar- 
row, of uneven surface, and in no 
part of it can a man stand upright. 
The sides of this cave are of smooth 
rock, which appear to have been 
rent asunder by an earthquake. Af- 
ter making the necessary prepara- 
tions for liis venturous expedition, 
Putnam entered tiie den, and " hav- 
ing groped his passage in the hori- 
zontal part of it, the most terrify- 
ing darkness appeared in front of 
the dim ciicle of light afforded by 
liis torch. It was silent as the 
house of death. None but nion- 
.stersof the desert had ever before 
explored this solitary mansion of 
horror. He cautiously proceeding 
onward came to the ascent ; which 
he slowly mounted on his hands and 
knees until he discovered the glar- 
ing eye-balls of the wolf, who was 
fitting at the extremity of the cav- 
ern. Started at the sight of fire, 
she gnashed her teeth, and gave a 
sudden growl. As soon as he had 
made the necessary discovery, he 
kicked the rope as a signal for pul- 
ling him out. The people at the 
mouth of the den, who had listened 
with painful anxiety, hearing the 
growl of the wolf, and supposing 
their friend to be in the most immi- 
nent danger, drew him forth with 
such celerity that his shii-t was 
stripped over his head and his skin 
severely lacerated. After he had 
adjusted his clothes, and loaded his 
gun with nine buck-shot, holding a 
torch in one hand and the musket 
in the other, he descended the sec- 
ond time. When he drew nearer 
than before, the wolf assuming a 



still more fierce and terrible appear- 
ance, howling, rolling her eyes, 
snapping her teeth, and dropping 
her head between her legs, was 
evidently in the attitude and on the 
point of springing at him. At this 
critical instant he leveled and fired 
at her head. Stunned by the shock, 
and suffocated with the smoke, he 
immediately found himself drawn 
out of the cave. But having re- 
freshed himself, and permitted the 
smoke to dissipate, he went down 
the third time. Once more he came 
in sight of the wolf, who appearing 
very passive, he applied the torch 
to her nose, and perceiving her dead, 
he took hold of her ears, and then 
kicking the rope, (still round his 
legs,) the people above, with no 
small exultation, dragged them both 
out together." 

Poplin, IV. II., 

Rockingham co., is 24 miles W. 
S. W. from Portsmouth, and 33 S. 
S. E. fiom Concord. There is a small 
pond in the N. part of the town call- 
ed Loon pond ; and the town is wa- 
tered by Squamscot, or Exeter riv- 
er, beside several small streams. 
The soil is generally of a good qual- 
ity, and the surface of the town is 
not broken by high hills. Poplin 
was incorporated, in 17fi4. The in- 
habitants are principally industri- 
ous farmers. Population, in 1830, 
429. 

Porpoise, Cape, Me. 

This cape lies in the county of 
York, and forms the N. E. bounda- 
rv of Kennebunk Harbor. N. lat. 
43° 22', W. Ion. 70° 23'. 

Porter, Me. 

Oxford CO. Porter is bounded W. 
by New Hampshire, and Ossipee 
river separates it from the county 
of York. It lies 99 miles S. W. 
from Augusta, 42 W. N. W. from 
Portland, and 37 S. W. from Paris. 
Population, 1837, 1,087. Incorpo- 
rated, 1807. 



NEW EiVGLAND GAZETTEER, 



Portland, Ble. 

Chief town, Cunibcrlaixl eo. This 
beautiful city lies \ipon a i)ciiinsula 
at the wesceni extremity of Casco 
bay; its length is three miles from 
east to west, and the average width 
is three quarters of a mile ; con- 
taining about two thousand two 
hundred acres of land. The settle- 
ment of tills neck of land was com- 
menced as early as 1'j32, by two 
individuals from England, George 
Cleaves and Richard Tucker, who 
purchased the whole tract in l(i37, 
of Gorges, the proprietor. For the 
first 40 years the settlement made 
])ut little progress, and it was en- 
tirely destroyed in the Indian wai- 
of 167.5. In 1630, it was revived 
under more favorable auspices, the 
government of Ma^isachusetts hav- 
ing some years previous to that 
time extended her sovereignty over 
this part of Maine. It had scarce- 
ly begun to gather the fruits of 
prospeiily, before it was again 
doomed to a second entire over- 
throw in 1690, by the remorseless 
en-emy, who spared neither dwell- 
ings noD their inhabitants. 

The territory lay waste after this, 
until about 1715, when a new at- 
tempt was made, and the founda- 
tions of the present city were laid. 
The inhabitants in the early period 
of the settlement, suffei'cd much 
from the privations which awaited 
them in this their remote wilder- 
ness. The Indians were still hang- 
ing about them in an unquiet state, 
and occasionally visiting them with 
rapine and blood. 

After supplying the first necessi- 
ties of their condition, the people 
turned their attention to the lumber 
business, the materials and the fa- 
cilities of which, were abundant 
about them. In about 20 years from 
the re-settlement, it became the 
principal port on the coast from 
which the English navy was sup- 
plied with masts and spars. They 
were transported in large ships 



owned abroad. Manufactured lum- 
ber was sent to tlie West Indies and 
to the colonies on the continent. 

At the commencement of the re- 
volutionary war, there were owned 
in Portland, 2,555 tons of shipping. 
The population was about 1 ,900, oc- 
cupying 230 houses : there were 
two religious societies, one congre- 
gational, the other episcopalian, and 
the place was marked by enterprise 
and prosperity. But it was destined 
a third time to be piostratod by the 
ravages of war. In 1775 it was 
bombarded by a British lleet, by 
which catastrophe 136 of the prin- 
cipal houses were destroyed, to- 
gether with a new court house, the 
episcopal church, and the town 
house, to the loss of the inhabitants 
of over £54,000. 

From the close of the revolution- 
ary war, to the year 1307, the growth 
of the town was almost unexam- 
pled. The amount of tonnage, 
which in 1789 was hut 5,000 tons, 
had increased in 1807 to 39,000, and 
the amount received for duties had 
advanced from ^8,000 to $346,000. 
During the restrictions and war, the 
town suffered severely. It had been 
sustained principally by foreign 
commerce, which those disastrous 
times wholly prostrated. After the 
peace of 1S15, the old channels of 
trade were revisited, and new ones 
opened with still increasing success. 
Portland probably enjoys a larger 
commerce with the West Indies, 
than any other port in the union. 
In 1S30, the quantity of shipping 
was 43,071 tons; in 1832, there 
wei'C owned in this port 412 vessels, 
employing 2,700 seamen ; in 1834 
the tonnage of vessels belonging to 
the port was 51,433 tons, and in 
1S37, 53,081 tons. There arrived 
in one year 4S t vessels exclusive of 
coastwise arrivals from ports north 
of Cape Cod, of which 163 were 
from foreign ports, and 321 were 
coastwise. The importations were 
as follows, molasses, 30,425 hhds ; 
flour, 65,471 barrels; corn, 76,118 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



bushels; salt, 21,267 hhds ; coal, 
1,75S tons, &c. The principal ex- 
ports are lumber, fish, beef, pork, 
pot and pearl ashes, hay, pot-a- 
toes, &.C. 

The population has advanced in 
a similar ratio; in 1790 it was 2,- 
210; 1800,3,704; 1810, 7,169 ; 1820, 
8,521; ISSO, 12,601; 1834,13,289; 
and in 1837, 15,637, exclusive of 
foreigners. 

Poi-tl.ind was connected with Fal- 
mouth until 1786, and commonly 
went by the name of Falmouth 
Neck. In that year it was incorpo- 
rated and received its present name. 
In 1832 a cliarter for a city was ob- 
tained, ami a government, consisting 
of a mayor, seven aldermen and 
twenty-one common council men 
was duly organized under it in 
April, of the same year. 

There are in the city 16 houses 
of public worship, many of wliich 
are very elegant. There is a! io in 
the city a bcauliful court house, a 
spacious cily hall, and a substantial 
stone Jail. An athena-um was 
founded here in 1826, embracing a 
large reading room and library; the 
library at this time contains between 
3,000 and 4,000 volumes of well se- 
lected books. 

The public press is as flourishing 
in Portland as in other parts of the 
United States. There were pub- 
lished in that city, in 1337,3 daily 
papers, 2 tri-weekly, 1 semi-week- 
ly and 12 weekly, embracing all 
the subjects of politics, literature, 
agriculture, religion and morals. 

"Portland is 110 miles N. N. E. 
from Boilon, 54 S. W. from Au- 
gusta, and 554 from Washington. 
Lat. 43=5 39/ 26" N., Ion. 70° 20' 
30" W. 

It is pleasantly situated between 
Fore or Casco river, and Back cove. 
The location is calculated to exhib- 
it the city very favorably on ap- 
proaching it from the sea, as the 
buildings rise between two hills in 
the form of an amphitheatre. On 
the !fite of old fort Sumner is an 



observatory about 70 feet in height, 
commanding a delightful view of 
the city, the harbor, the islands in 
Casco bay ; and, extending noi-th- 
west to tlio elevated peaks of the 
White mountains. 

The access to Portland by sea is 
easy, its harbor spacious and 
safe, and rarely obstructed by ice. 
It has a water communication with 
the country to a distance of nearly 
50 miles, by the Cumberland and 
Oxford Can;il, which was finished 
in 1830 ; and it is the nearest sea- 
board market for the rich and beau- 
tiful country on the upper waters 
of Connecticut river, through the 
Franconiaand White mountain pass- 
es ; and with the White mountainr! 
over a level road to Lancaster in 
N. H. 

The rail-road from Boston will 
soon reach this place, and a rail-road 
from Portland to the upjier waters 
of the Connecticut is in contempla- 
tion. 

There are numerous resources 
in the interior not yet i)rought into 
activity, which will give to this 
place continually increasing import- 
ance, and reward the exertions of 
its intelligent and enterprising in- 
habitants. 

PortsiiioutU, IV. H., 

Rockingham co., is the principal 
town in the state, and the only sea- 
port which it contains. It is situa- 
ted in N. lat. 43= 4' 54", W. Ion. 
70° 45'. Portsmouth is built on a 
beautiful peninsula, on the south 
side of the river; and, as seen from 
the towers of the steeples, the riv- 
er, harbor, points, islands and adja- 
cent country, presents a delightful 
assemblage of objects. In many 
parts of the town are iieautiful gar- 
dens. It was settled under the aus- 
pices of Sir Ferdinando Gorges 
and Capt. John Ma«on,in 1623, and 
was incorporated by charter in 1633. 
That part of it which lies round 
Church hill, extending N. and W., 
was originally called Strawberry 



NEW ENGLAIVD GAZETTEER. 



Bank. The first house of which 
we have any account, erected in 
what is now the compact part of 
the town, was built by Humphrey 
Chadbourne, and according to tra- 
dition, stood near the corner of 
Court and Pond streets. It was 
called the " Great house," and is 
frequently referred to in early his- 
tories. Within the memory of the 
present generation, a garrison house 
stood in Water street, another in 
Fore street, and a tliird at the Fer- 
ry-ways. These were probably 
the principal houses on " the Hank." 
The first meeting house stood on 
Pleasant street. Except the garri- 
son houses above mentioned, the 
earliest settlements were probably 
on the south road. From the pe- 
culiar advantages of its situation, 
Portsmouth appears almost wholly 
to have escaped the ravages of the 
Indians. Secured on three sides 
by the Piscataqua, the ocean, and 
an inlet, it was accessible to the 
savages only by the isthmus which 
connects it with the main ; and 
across that a stockade fence was ex- 
tended for defence. The settle- 
ments were also compact, and the 
number of inhabitants at an early 
date considerable. In 1822, the 
wealthy and enterprising citizens 
of this town connected Portsmouth 
Avith Kittery, in Maine, by two 
bridges, one 480 feet in length, 
supported by 20 piers; the other 
1750 feet, supported by 70 piers. 
Under the long bridge, for 900 feet, 
the water varies from 45 to 53 feet 
in depth at low water. The draw 
is 133G feet from the island, and 
the water is 21 feet deep at low 
tide. This bridge greatly increases 
and facilitates the travel from Port- 
land and its vicinity to this town 
and Boston. The town is also con- 
nected with New Castle by a bridge 
built in 1821. The streets, though 
not laid out with much regularity, 
are neat and pleasant, and contain 
many beautiful buildings. Ports- 
mouth Aqueduct Company was in- 



corporated 1797, and commenced 
its operations in 1799. Water of 
excellent quality is brought from a 
fountain about 3 miles distant, and 
conducted into all the principal 
streets. Portsmouth pier, 340 feet 
in length, and about 60 feet wide, 
was incorporated 1795. Portsmouth 
AthenKum was incorporated, 1817, 
and has a library of about 5,000 
volumes ; and cabinets of mineral- 
ogy, natural history, &.C. The 
institution is rapidly increasing in 
value. The people of this town were 
at an early period friendly to litera- 
ture, and their institutions for 
learning are highly respectable. 
Portsmouth is the centre of a con- 
siderable trade directed by wealthy 
and enterprising citizens. The 
Piscataqua, as it passes this town, 
is from 1-2 to 3-4 of a mile wide ; 
and although the current is so swift 
as to prevent the river from freez- 
ing, yet it forms one of the most se- 
cure and commodious harl)ors in the 
United States, into which ships of 
any size or burthen may enter with 
perfect safety. It is protected by 
nature from the ravages of the N. 
E. storms, and can very easily be 
rendered inaccessible to enemies. 
The main entrance to the harbor, 
which is well protected by forts, is 
on the N. E., between New Castle 
and Kittery; the other entrance, 
on the S. of New Castle, is called 
Little Harbor, where the water is 
shoal, and the bottom sandy. At 
this place, in the spi-ing of 1623, 
the first settlers of this state made 
their landing, and in the same year 
commenced settlements here and 
at Dover. 

About one mile below the town 
the navigation is rendered some- 
what difficult by the rapidity of 
the current ; the main body of the 
river being forced through a chan- 
nel only about 45 rods wide. 

There are in the harbor a number 
of islands, the most considerable of 
which is Great island. The others 
are Continental island, on which is 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



the Navy yard, one of the safest 
and most convenient on the coast; 
Badger's island, on wliich the 
JVorth America, (the first line of 
battleship launched in the western 
hemisphere) was built during the 
revolutionary war. 

Few towns in New England have 
suffered so much from tires as Ports- 
mouth. On Dec. 26, 1S02, 102 
buildings were burnt. Dec. 24, 
1806, i4 buildings, including St. 
John's church, were destroyed. 
But the most calamitous fire broke 
out Dec. 22, 1813, when 397 build- 
ings were burnt, of which more 
than 100 were dwelling houses. 
The ravages extended over about 
15 acres. 

The United States navy yard is 
admirably located for its object. 
There are at present three ship 
houses in the y.trd, in which are a 
74 and a 40 gun ship. One of the 
houses is 240 feet long and 131 feet 
wide : — the roof is covered with 
130 tons of slate. In this building 
the keel of the frigate Congress 
was laid in 1837. The government 
of the U. S. has been liberal in its 
appropriations for this excellent na- 
val ilepot, at which a dry dock 
will soon be constructed. Ports- 
mouth has ever been celebrated for 
its fine white oak timber and its 
naval architects. 

Ship building for the merchant 
service is extensively pursued, and 
other manufactures tlourish. There 
are 3.5 ships belonging to this port 
regulai-ly engaged in the freighting 
business ; 100 vessels in the cod 
and mackerel fisheries, 52 in the 
coasting trade, 3 in the West India 
business, and 1 employed in whal- 
ing. Tlie number of men and 
boys employed in navigation, in 
1837, was 750. The tonnage of the 
district, the same year, was 25,114 
tons. As much of the capital of 
this wealthy town is employed 
abroad, and much of the inland 
trade passes on the river, there is 
but little show of business in the 



streets, compared with some othe. 
commercial places. 

Port.-^mouth lies 45 miles E. S. E. 
from Concord, 56 N. E. from Bos- 
ton, and 54 S. W. from Portland. 
Population, 1820, 7,327; 1830, 
8,082. The present population is 
about 9,000. The rail-road from 
Boston to Maine will ])robably pass 
through this town. The proximity 
of Portsmouth to the ocean, its 
neatness, quietude and beauty, ren- 
der it an agreeable residence, and 
a fashionable resort in the summer. 

Among the citizens of Portsmouth 
distinguished for their talents or 
public services, we may mention 
William Vaughan, the origin- 
al projector of the expedition against 
Louisbourg, was born at Ports- 
mouth, Sept. 12, 1703, and died in 
London, in Dec. 1746. 

John Wentworth, the first 
governor of tiiat name in N. H. 
He died Dec. 12, 1730, aged 59. 

Benning Wentworth, who 
died Oct. 14, 1770, aged 75. 

Dr. Joshua Brackett, a dis- 
tinguished physician and founder of 
the N. H. Medical Society, died 
July 17, 1802, aged 69. 

Hon. Samuel Hale, a native 
of Newbury, Mass., who for more 
than 30 years, taught a public school 
in Portsmouth. He died July 10, 
1807, aged 89. 

Rev. Samuel Haven, D. D. 
was born at Framingham, Mass. 
Aug. 4, 1727; settled at Portsmouth 
in 1752 ; received the degree of 
D. D. from the University of Edin- 
burgh in 1772; and died March 3, 
1806, aged 79. He was eminently 
useful. 

Dr. Ammi R. Cutter, was born 
at North Yarmouth, Me. in March 
1735. For 60 years he was an em- 
inent practitioner, and during life a 
firm supporter of his country. He 
died Dec. 8, 1820, aged 86. 

Hon. John Pickering, LL. D., 
was a native of Newington. He 
was appointed chief justice of the 
superior court in 1790, and contin- 



NEW ENGLAxND GAZETTEER. 



ued in office five years. He was 
afterwards district judge of the 
U. S., and died April II, 1805, aged 
67. Hon. John Langdon, LL.D. 
was born at Portsmouth in 1740. 
In 1785 he was chosen president of 
the state. He was elected to the 
same office in 1788, and after the 
adoption of the constitution was 
governor six years. He ever dis- 
charged the duties of the offices to 
which he was elected faithfully 
and acceptably. Unlike many ele- 
vated to office, he remembered that 
the people clothed him with author- 
ity, and his only study was to serve 
them honestly and faithfully. He 
died Sept. 18, 1819, aged 79. 

Hon. WooDBURV LajVgdon, a 
firm patriot and useful citizen. 

Hon. Richard Evans was 
born at Portsmouth, May 13, 1777. 
He died July IS, 1816, aged 39. 

Jonathan M. Sewall, Esq., 
counsellor at law, and a respectable 
poet, was born at Salem, Mass., in 
1748, and died at Portsmouth, March 
29, 1808. 

Rev. Joseph Buckminster, 
D. D. a native of Rutland, Mass., 
settled at Portsmouth,1779, and died 
atReedsborougli,Vt. June 10, 1812, 
aged 61. Dr. B. was a distinguish- 
ed scholar and an eminent divine. 

Portsmouth, R. I. 

Newport co. The soil of this 
town, in common with all the lands 
on the island of R. I., is uncommon- 
ly fertile, well cultivated and pro- 
ductive. It is bounded N, by Mount 
Hope bay, E. by the Seaconnet pas- 
sage fi'om the sea tosai;! bay, S. by 
the ocean, and VV. by ?>Iiddletov/n. 
The maritime situation of the town 
affords the people great facilities for 
the fisheries, wliich, with a fine 
soil, and industi-y, give them a great 
degree of independence. A number 
one called are attached to this town, 
of which the beautiful and fertile 
island of Piudence is the largest. 
It is six miles in length, and about 
three quarters of a mile average 



width. In this town are the Rhode 
Island coal mines, which are not 
worked at the present time. A fine 
bed of plumbago has recently 
been discovered. Portsmouth fur- 
nishes considerable quantities of 
wool, hay, grain, vegetables, and 
productions of the dairy. In 1837 
there were 16,000 sheep in the 
town. Population, 1830, 1,727. 
Portsmouth lies 6 miles N. N. E. 
from Newport. A stone bridge, 
1,000 feet in length, connects it 
with Tiverton. It received its char- 
ter from Charles II., in 1663. 

Ponltiiey, Vt. 

Rutland co. The surface of this 
town is pleasantly diversified ; the 
soil is warm and productive, partic- 
ulaidy on the borders of the river. 
First settled, 1771. Population, 1830, 
1,909. There are two flourishing 
villages in the town, and manufac- 
tures of various sorts. The pro- 
ductions of the soil are considera- 
ble, and 12,000 sheep are kept. It 
lies 60 miles S. AV. from Montpe- 
lier, and 13 S. \V. from Rutland. 

Poultney river, rising in the high 
lands near Middletown, and emp- 
tying into East bay, an arm of 
Champlain lake, is about 25 miles 
in length, and in its course affords 
numerous valuable mill sites. This 
stream changed its course in 1783, 
by cutting a channel of 100 feet in 
depth through a ridge of land near 
the bay, and destroying the navi- 
gation of the bay for a time, by 
nearly filling it with earth. This 
obstruction has been removed. 

Po-»vnal, Me. 

Cumberland co. This is a small 
town, of good soil, and bounded N. 
by Durham. It lies 35 miles S. W. 
from Augusta, and 19 N. from Port- 
land. Incorporated, 1808. Popular 
tion, 1837, 1,232. 

Po-»vMal, Vt. 

Bennington co. First settled, 
1761. Population, in 1830, 1,835. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



Pownal lies 30 miles W. by S. from 
Brattleborou£;h, and 8 S. from Hcn- 
nington. The surface is broken and 
hilly, but the soil is strong and re- 
markably well adapted lor grass, 
producing all the varieties of the dai- 
ry in great abundance and of an ex- 
cellent quality. The number of 
sheep kept in this town is about 
8,000. Pownal is watered by Hoo- 
sack and Walloomsac rivers, wliich 
produce a good water power. The 
village is very pleasant. 

Powo^v River. 

Powow river has its principal 
source in Great and Country ponds 
in Kingston, N. II., and passes over 
the S. W. part of East Kingston in- 
to South Hampton ; thence into 
Amesbury, Mass., where it turns 
E. into South Hampton again, and 
returns into Amesbury, falling into 
the Merrimack between Salisbury 
and Amesbury. There are several 
falls in this river ; those in Ames- 
bury being the most remarkable, the 
water falling 100 feet in the dis- 
tance of 50 rods, and presenting, 
with the variety of machinery and 
dams, houses and scenery on the 
falls, one of the most interesting 
views in the country. 

Prescott, Jtla^s. 

Hampshire co. The surface of 
this town is rough and hilly. The 
principal manufacture consists of 
palm-leaf hats, of which about 
50,000 are annually made. The 
soil is better for grazing than tillage. 
Prescott lies 76 miles W. from Hos- 
ton, and 16 N. E. from Northamp- 
ton. Taken from Pelham in 1822. 
Population, 1837, 783. 

Preston, Ct. 

New London co. This is an ir- 
regular, uneven, rocky town, of a 
pretty good soil for corn and grazing. 
It is bounded W. and N. by the 
Thames and Quinnohaug rivers : 44 
miles E. S. E. from Hartford. First 
settled, 1686. Population, 1830, 

29 



1,93.5. Poquetannuck, an ancient 
village, lies partly in Preston and 
partly in Lcdyard. It has a water 
power, and small vessels pass within 
a short distance of it. Many of the 
inhabitants are employed in naviga- 
tion, and considerable ship timber 
is taken fi-om there down tlie river. 
Preston City lies in the eastern 
part of the town, 5 miles E. from 
Poquetannuck, and 6 E. fi-om Nor- 
wich. Near this village is "Amos 
lake," a haiulsome sheet of water, 
and a place of resort for parties of 
pleasure. 

Presumpscut River, Me. 

This is the outlet of Sebago lake. 
It passes through parts of Gorham 
and Wcstbrook, and falls into Casco 
bay at Falmouth, G miles N. from 
Portland. 

Princeton, Itle. 

Washington co. Population, in 
1837, 207. See "Down East." 

Princeton, Mass. 

Worcester co. This town, the 
Indian IVachusett, is pleasantly 
situated at the base of the moun- 
tain of that name, 45 miles W. by 
N. from Boston, and 16 N. by W. 
from Worcester. Incorporated, 175S. 
Population, 1837, 1,267. This is a 
township of good land, and produces 
considerable quantities of beef, 
butter, cheese, &c. It is watered 
by a branch of the Nashua, and has 
some manufactures. V/achusett is 
2,990 feet in height ; it is the high- 
est land in the county, and presents 
a landscape exceedingly variegated 
and beautiful. It is a place much 
frequented in summer months. 

The manufactures of the town 
consist of .shoes, leather, palnn-leaf 
hats, chairs, and cabinet ware : an- 
nual amount, about .$50,000. 

Prospect, Me. 

Waldo CO. This is a beautiful 
town, of good soil, on the west side 
of Penobscot river. It is bounded 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



on the S. by Belfast bay ; 52 miles 
E. by N. from Augusta, 12 N. N. 
E. from Belfast, and 18 S. from 
Bangor. Prospect is very flourishing 
in its commercial and agricuUural 
pursuits. Population, 1830, 2,oSl ; 
1837, 3,198. Incorporated, 1794. 
Wheat crop, 1837, 4,41(j bushels. 

Prospect, Ct. 

New Haven co. This stony and 
mountainous town was taken from 
Cheshire and Waterbury,in 1827. 
It derived its name from its elevat- 
ed situation. There is a pretty 
village in the town. The inhabit- 
ants are chiefly farmers. It lies 
17 miles N. by W. from New Ha- 
ven. Population, 1830, (J51. 

Some difficulty arose in the con- 
gregational society in this town a 
few years since, in consequence of 
the minister and a number of the 
influential members of the church 
having adopted the sentiments of 
the Perfectionists. The stray 
sheep, however, soon returned to 
the fold again. See Religious 
Creeds and Statistics. 

Providence County, R. I. 

Providence, chief town. This 
ancient and respectable county is 
boundedN.and E. by Massachusetts, 
S.by the county of Kent, and W. by 
Connecticut. It contains an area 
of 381 square miles. Population, 
1820, 35,736 ; 1S30, 47,018. Pop- 
ulation to a square mile, 124. The 
surface of the county is generally 
uneven ; some sections of it presents 
rugged features, but no part of it 
is mountainous. The soil is vari- 
ous : some portions of the county 
are alluvial, some calcareous loam, 
and some of sileceous sand ; but a 
strong gravelly loam generally 
prevails. 

More attention is paid to agricul- 
ture in this county than formerly ; 
good crops of corn, barley and i-ye 
are obtained, and all the varieties 
of the dairy, of fruits and vegeta- 
bles are abundant for the supply of 



its numerous villages and the city. 

The commercial interests of tiie 
county are important, but are prin- 
cipally conlined to the flourishing 
city of Providence; but the manu- 
facturing interests, particularly of 
cotton, are extended throughout the 
county, and engrosses a large share 
of its enterprize and capital. While 
the Pawtucket, Pawtuxet, Mashan- 
ticut, Pochasset, Wonasquatucket, 
and other streams, give those inter- 
ests a constant operative power, the 
numerous beautiful villages erected 
on their borders testify that Provi- 
dence county is one of the most im- 
portant manufactuiing districts iu 
the new world. 

A statistical account of the resour- 
ces of this county, and of all the 
counties and towns in Rhode Isl- 
and, is in preparation, and will ap- 
pear in the Register. 

Providence, R. I. 

Chief town. Providence co. Rog- 
er Williams was the founder of this 
beautiful city. He was banished 
from the Massachusetts colony for 
maintaining that all denominations 
of christians were equally entitled 
lo the protection of the civil mag- 
isti'ate ; that the church of England 
was no true church, and that a 
patent fi-om the king conveyed no 
title to the soil. 

In 1636, Mr. Williams, accompa- 
nied by William Harris, John 
Smith, Joshua Virrin, Thomas An- 
gell, and Francis Wickes, commenc- 
ed a settlement and called it Prov- 
idence ; regarding his preservation 
as a favorable interposition of heav- 
en. Mr. Williams sustained the 
two-fold character of a minister of 
the gospel and governor of the col- 
ony ; he formed a constitution on 
the broad principle of civil and re- 
ligious libeity,and thus established 
the first free government on the 
continent of America. Mr. Wil- 
liams was a man of learning, and 
set a bright example of that tolera- 
tion which he demanded from oth- 



NI.W ENGLAND GAZETTEEk. 



ers. He was born in Wales, in 1599, 
and died in IGS-'J. 

Providcnre siiirorcd great losses 
in kinor Pliilip's war, aiui during 
the revolutionary coutc-it it furnish- 
ed its full proportion of troop-i, and 
partook largely of the sufferings as 
well as of the glory of that struggle. 

On the 9th of June, 1772, the 
king's ship Gaspee was taken pos- 
session of and burned, and the com- 
mander, Lieutenant Duddingston, 
wounded with a niusket ball, in the 
ihigh. Only one of the persons en- 
gaged in taking the Gaspee is now 
living — Col. Ephraini iJowen, of 
Providence. 

Thus it appears, that in that con- 
test, the first blood wa^ shed at 
Providence ; but the first American 
blood and life was sacrificed at 
Lexington, Mass., on the 19th of 
April, 1775, and the first British 
life, on the same day, a few liours 
after, at Concord, Massachusetts. 

Providence f()rniei-ly comprised 
the territory of a number of the 
neighboring towns. Its present 
limits contain an area of about nine 
square miles. It was incorporated 
as a town in ln4:), and as a city in 
18.31. Population, in 1820, 11,767; 
1830, 16,832; 1S36, 19,277. The 
most compact part of the city is di- 
vided into two nearly equal parts, 
on both sides of Providence river, 
and are connected liy wide and sub- 
stantial bridges. The two princi- 
pal streets are long and irregular, 
and comprise tlie business portion 
of the city, with the exception of a 
long range of large and handsome 
brick ware houses on the east side 
of the rivei-. The buildings in oth- 
er parts of the city are constructed 
with taste, and many of them in a 
style of superior elegance. On the 
east side of the river the land rises 
abruptly. On this elevation are a 
number of streets running parallel 
with the river, on the summit of 
which is located Brown Univei-sity, 
established here in 1770. From 
the beautiful buildings on these 



stieets, delightful views are obtain- 
ed of a great extent of country, of 
the city, the shipping in the river, 
and of Providence and Narraganset 
bays. 

There are in Providence a large 
number of handsome churches, and 
other public buildings. The Ar- 
cade is one of the most beautiful 
buildings in the country. It is sit- 
uated on the west side of the river, 
and fronts on two streets. It is 
built of stone, 222 feet in length, 
and 72 feet in width. The fronts 
are ornamented, each with six mas- 
sive columns, 25 feet high, the 
shafts of which are single blocks, 
22 feet in length. The lower part 
of this building is improved for dry 
goods shops, &c. ; the upper stories 
for oifices, library rooms, &c. It 
was completed in 1828, and cost 
,"«(l;)0,0()0. The architecture of this 
building is exceedingly chaste. 

Pi'ovidence has long been cele- 
brated for the commercial spirit of 
its citizens, and for their large in- 
vestments of capital in foreign com- 
merce, particularly with India. It 
is still a floui-ishing mart of foreign 
trade ; the tonnage of the port, in 
1S37, was 17,526 tons. Much of 
the capital of the city has, howev- 
er, of late years, been diverted to 
the pursuit of domestic manufac- 
tures ; a pursuit probable of greater 
profit, and no less patriotic. 

Besides the large capital employ- 
ed by the citizens of Providence in 
manufacturing estal)lishments with- 
out the city, the capital thus employ- 
ed within it is veiy great. Those 
manufactures consist of cotton goods, 
(by steam power,) machinery, 
steam engines, vessels, jewelry, 
copper, brass, iron and tin wares, 
glass, combs, oil, soap, candles, liats, 
leather, boots, shoes, and numerous 
other articles. About 4,000 of the 
people of Providence are engaged 
in these manufactures. 

The public schools in Providence 
are well sustained. The sura of 
about $10,000 is annually appropri- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



ated lo this object. The number 
of scholars, in 1837, was 1626. A 
high school has recently been es- 
tablished, and $40,000 appropriated 
for the erection of new school hous- 
es. The athena3um library con- 
tains 7,000 volumes. It was incor- 
porated in 1836. Sec Register. 

Providence is approached with 
great ease from almost every direc- 
tion. The roads are generally ex- 
cellent : that to Pawtucket is une- 
qualled by any in New England. 
The Blackstone canal, after wind- 
ing its course through a fertile and 
manufacturing country, from Wor- 
cester, Mass., terminates at tide wa- 
ter in the centre of the city. .Steam 
boats, of superior construction and 
elegant accommodations, ply be- 
tween this city and New York, 
daily. Rail road cars between Bos- 
ton and Stonington cross the lower 
part of the city several times a day, 
and steam boats and packets are con- 
tinually passing to and fi-om the 
several important towns on the 
shores of Narraganset and Mount 
Hope bays. 

Providence has frequently sus- 
tained heavy losses by tire, and 
once by water. In 1815, during 
the memorable gale of Scptembei' 
23d, the tide rose 12 feet higlicr 
than the common high tides, and 
spread ruin to the buildings, navi- 
gation, wharves and bridges in eve- 
ry direction. The loss sustained 
by this flood was estimated at a 
million and a half of dollars. 

Providence lies at the head of 
ship navigation on Pi-ovidence riv- 
er, the most northei-n waters of 
Narraganset bay ; 35 miles from 
the sea, 40 S. W. from Boston, 169 
N. E. by E. from New York, and 
396 N. E. from Washington. N. 
lat. 41° 49' 32", W. Ion. 71° 24' 45". 

Proviiicetown, Mass. 

Barnstable co. A noted fishing 
town on the extreme point of Cape 
Cod; including Race point, which 
lies 3 miles N. W. from Province- 



town village. It comprises Cape 
Cod, or Provincetown harbor, 
which opens on the S. This ocean 
harbor is very large, exceedingly 
easy of acces-ii, and has sufficient 
depth of water for the largest ships 
of war. This is the first harbor the 
"Mayflov/er" touched at on her 
passage to Plymouth in 1620. 

An elaborate and highly interest- 
ing report of a survey of this har- 
bor and the extremity of Cape Cod, 
by Major J. D. Graham, has recent- 
ly been printed by order of con- 
gress. 

The report is accompanied by a 
series of tables, showing the result 
of a long course of observations on 
the tide, which are not only curi- 
ous, but may be useful to those who 
are in a situation for pursuing their 
speculations on this subject, by 
comparing them with the results of 
similar observations in other places. 
The fullness and precision of these 
tables indicate the care and labor 
with which the work has been 
prosecuted. The result is of a na- 
ture to show the great importance 
of this position, both as a naval and 
commercial station. 

The value of Cape Cod harbor to 
our naval and mercantile marine in 
time of war is inappreciable. In 
possession of an cneni}", it would af- 
ford facilities for annoying our 
commerce, without exposure to the 
gales that so often sweep along the 
coast. Fortified, and in the occu- 
pancy of a portion of our navy, it 
ofTers a secure retreat, accessible at 
ail seasons, and sheltered from eve- 
ry storm. 

The soil of this town, in common 
with many others on Cape Cod, is 
very sandy; indeed, it may be said 
to possess no soil, for its vegetable 
qualities are very deficient. 

During the year ending April 1st, 
1837, there were belonging to 
Provincetown, 2 vessels employed 
in the whale, and 98 in the cod and 
mackerel fishery, besides a large 
number in the freighting business. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



The value of fish and oil taken was 
$298,407. Hands ciiiploycci, 1,113. 
Durino; that year 43,9tiO l)u>licls oC 
salt were made, employing lo(j 
hands, the value of which was 
$18,360. Provinccfown lies 50 
miles N. E. from Banntablc, by 
land, and 50 E. S. E. fiom Hostoii, 
by water. Incorporated, 1727. Pop- 
ulaUon, 1S30, 1,710; 1337,2,049. 

Putney, Vt. 

Windham co. This town is fine- 
ly located on the west side of Con- 
necticut river, and embosoms a large 
tract of excellent intervale land, 
called the "Great Meai!ows."There 
is also a good tract of intervale on 
Sacket's brook, a fine mill stream, 
with beautiful falls, on which are 
erected valuable mills for the manu- 
facture of woolen goods, paper, and 
various other ailieles. Sacket's 
brook i-; a large and constant stream: 
it falls 150 feet in the course of 100 
rods. Some of the mill sites are 
unoccupied. There are various 
mineral sub=;tnncc3 in the town, 
worthy of the notice of the geolo- 
gist. The village is pleasant, and 
bears the marks of taste and pros- 
perity. It lies 9 miles E. from 
Newfanc, and 9 N. from iJrattlc- 
borough. First settled, 1754. Pop- 
ulation, 1S30, 1,.'310. 

PusUaw L.a!£c, HIc. 

This lake lies in the towns of 
Orono, Dutton and Kirkland, Pe- 
nobscot county. It is about S miles 
long, and one mile wide. It emp- 
ties into Dead stream, which meets 
the Penobscot at Orono. 

Quccchy Kivcr, Vt., 

Sometimes called Waterquccchy, 
rises in Sherburne, runs nearly east 
to the south part of Rridgewater ; 
thence through Woodstock into the 
south part of Hartford, and thence 
•oiitheast through the noilheast cor- 
ner of Hartland into Connecticut 
river, about two miles a!;ove Qiico- 
chy falls. Ill Bridgewatcr it ro- 



ceives two considerable branches, 
namely, north branch, which rises 
in the norlh part of this township 
fioui the norlh, and south branch, 
which rises in Plymouth, from the 
south, both considerable mill 
sti'cams. In Woodstock it receives 
two other branches of considerable 
size ; one rising in the northeast 
cornerof Hridgewater and southeast 
cornoi- of I'arnard, falls into Quee- 
chy river from the north just below 
the noi-th village in Woodstock, or 
" Woodstock Green,''' the other 
rising in the soulii part of Wood- 
stock, paj^ses through both the vil- 
lages in that town, and empties into 
it from the south just above the 
mouth of the last mentioned stream. 
Both these sti-eains afford excellent 
mill seats. Queccliy river in its 
course receives numerous other 
tiibuiarics of less note. It is a 
clear and lively stream, with a grav- 
el or stony bottom. This stream is 
about 35 miles in length, and wa- 
tcis about 212 square miles. 

Q,tiiiicy, Mass. 

Norfolk CO. The territory of 
Quincy was a part of ancient Brain- 
tree, until 1792. It lies on Brain- 
tree or Quincy bay, in Boston har- 
bor, and is bounded on the N. W. 
by Ncpon=iot river and the town 
of Milton. It is 8 miles S. by E. from 
Boston, and 10 E. by S. from Ded- 
hain. Population, 1S20, 1,623; 1830, 
2,192; 18:;7, 3,049. 

The suiface of (he town is diver- 
sified by hills, valleys and plains. 
Back from the bay about 3 miles is 
a range of elevated land, in soma 
parts more than fiOO feet above the 
sea, containing an inexhaustible 
supply of granite. This is the 
source of the " Quincy Granite," a 
building material justly celebrated 
ii\ all our cities for its durability 
and beauty. Vast quantities of 
this admirable stone are annually 
quarried and wrought in this vicin- 
ity by (he most skillful workmen, 
into all dimensions, both plain and 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



ornamental ; and it is fortunate for 
the public that the supply is abun- 
dant, for the demand for it from va- 
rious parts of the United States is 
constant and increasing. 

By means of a rail-road from these 
quarries to the tide waters of Ne- 
ponset river, and of a canal to the 
centre of the town, this stone is 
transported with great expedition 
and little cost. There are large 
quantities of slate stone near Ne- 
ponset river; much of which is 
quari'ied. These slate quarries bear 
indications of coal in their vicinity. 

In this town, between Quincy 
and Dorchester bays, is a point of 
land called Squantuni, celebrated 
as having been the residence of the 
famous Indian Sachem, C'/(/cA"a^a».- 
hut. This place is the Mos-ioetu- 
set, " a few miles south of Boston," 
supposed by some to have origin- 
ated the name of the state. Squan- 
tum is a rocky, romantic place, six 
miles south of Boston, and a pleas- 
ant resort for fishing and bathing. 

The soil of Quincy is generally 
of aai excellent quality and under 
good cultivation. There are large 
tracts of salt meadow in the town, 
and many large and beautiful farms, 
which, in respect to soil and skillful 
management, may vie with any in 
the state. 

The Mount Wallaston farm is 
noted as the site of an early settle- 
ment (1625,) and as the Merry 
Mount of Thomas Morton and his 
associates. This farm, with that of his 
venerated father, now belong to the 
Hon. Mr. Adams, representative to 
Congress. The ancestral estate of 
the Quincy family comprises one 
of the most beautiful and well cul- 
tivated farms in New England. 
It is the property of Josiah Quin- 
cy, LL. D., an eminent agricul- 
turist, and president of Harvard 
University. 

The village, in the centre of the 
town, is situated on an elevated 
plain, and is remarkable for its neat- 



ness and beauty. In this village is 
a stone church, designated the "Ad- 
ams Temple." This building was 
dedicated, 1828, and cost $40,000. 
Within its walls is a beautiful niar- 
blc monument to the memory of the 
Hon. John Adains and his wife. 

About two miles east from the 
village is Quincy Point, at the 
junction of Town and Weymouth 
Fore rivers. This is a delightful 
spot, and contains some handsome 
buildings. This point of land, with 
a peninsula near it called German- 
town, are admirably located for 
ship building, and for all the pur- 
poses of navigation and the fishery. 
Here is a fine harbor, a bold shore 
and a beautiful country, within 10 
miles of the capital of New Eng- 
land. 

The manufactures of Quincy con- 
sist of stone, slate, vessels, salt, 
leather, boots, shoes, hats, coach 
lace, carriages, harnesses, bleached 
bees wax, &.c. Total value, the 
year ending April 1, 1S37,$470,222. 
During tliat period there were 10 
vessels engaged in the cod and 
mackerel fishery ; the product of 
which was $31,042. Quincy is a 
place of considerable trade. Large 
quantities of luraber, bread stuffs, 
&,c., arc annually sold. 

The proximity of Quincy to Bos- 
ton, the excellent roads and bridg- 
es connecting it with the city and 
surrounding country, the beauty of 
the town, with the delightful scen- 
ery around it, render it a desirable 
residence in summer, and a pleas- 
ant home. 

Quincy was named in honor of 
Col. John Quincy, a native of 
the place, who for forty successive 
vears was a member of (lie execu- 
tive council of the colony, and dis- 
charged many other j)ublic trusts 
with zeal and fidelity. He died Ju- 
ly i:], 1767, aged 78'. 

This has been the birth place 
and residence of some of the most 
distinguished sons of America. — 



NEW ENGLAND CAZETTEER. 



The names of the patriots, Jo>in 
Hancock and JoiiAii Quincy, 
Jr., will live until the death ol'lib- 
erty. 

Two presidents of the United 
States, father and son, wci-e natives 
of this place. Johx Adams, born 
October 19, 1735. Joh.v Quijvcy 
Adams, hern July 11, 17o7. The 
senior Mi-. Adams gratlnftted at 
Harvard University, in 17)5, and 
was distinguished for bis diligence 
and genius. He studied law at 
Worcester, and was admitted to 
practice in 175S. He coinsiienced 
the labors of his profes ion in Brain- 
tree, liis native town, and soon ob- 
tained business and reputation. In 
1761, Mr. Adams marricil Miss Ab- 
igail Sniitli, a grand dau^jbter of 
Col. Quincy, a lady as tiisun'^uidj- 
cd for her accomplishments and 
virtues as for the elevated station 
in society which Providence had 
destined her to fill. Mrs. Adams 
died at Quincy, Dec. 28, ISIS, aged 
74. In 17()5, Mr. Adams removed 
to Boston ; here he obtained an ex- 
tensive legal practice, and, refusing 
all offers of patronage from tiie 
British governiiient, espoused the 
cause of his native country vviih an 
ardor peculiar to himself, tirnily i-e- 
eolved to sink or swim with its lib- 
erties. He was elected a mcmbjr 
of Congress, and was among tbo 
foremost in recommending the 
adoption of an independent govern- 
ment. In 1777 Mr. Adams was cho- 
sen commissioner to the Court of 
Versailles. In 1779 he was i;ppoint- 
ed minister plenii)otentiary to nego- 
tiate a peace and a commercial trea- 
ty with Great Britain. In 17S0 he 
went embassador to Holland, and in 
1782 to Paris, to negotiate a treaty 
of peace with Great Britain, having 
received the assurance that that 
power would recognize the indepen- 
dence of the United States. In 
1785 Mr. Adams was appointe»I the 
first minister to the court of St. 
James. After remaining in Europe 
nine years, he returned to his 



native country, and in 1789 was 
elected first Vice President of the 
United States, whicli olhce he held 
during the whole of Wasliington's 
admiinstration. On the resignation 
of Was]nngton,in 1797, Mr. Adams 
l)ecame President of the United 
States, which olhce lie sustained 
until the election of Mr. Jeficrson, 
in 1801. Soon after this, Mr. Adams 
retired to his farm at Quincy, and 
spent the remainder of an eventful 
life in rui'al occupations, the pleas- 
ures of domestic retirement, and 
those enjoyments which a great and 
good mind always has in store. 

The account that Mr. Adams 
gives in a letter to a fi-iend, of his 
introduction to George HI., at the 
court of St. James, as the first niin- 
i^ter from the rebel colonies, is very 
interesting. The scene would form 
a no!)le picture, highly honorable 
both to his majesty and the repub- 
lican minister. 

Mere stood the stern monarch, 
who had expended more than six 
bundled millions of dollars, and the 
lives of two hundred thousand of 
his subjects in a vain attempt to 
subjugate freemen; and by his side 
stood the man, who, in the language 
of Je/TkU'son, " was the great pillar 
of support to the declaration of in- 
dependence, and its ablest advo- 
cate and champion on the floor of 
Congress." 

Mr. Adams says," At one o'clock 
on Wednesday, the first of June, 
1735, the master of ceremonies call- 
ed at my house, and went with me 
to the secretary of state's office, in 
Cleaveland row, where the marquis 
of Carmarthen received and intro- 
duced me to Mr. Frazier, his un- 
der secretary, who had been, as his 
lordship said, uninterruptedly in 
that o-ficc through all the changes 
in administration for thirty years. 
After a short conversation, Lord 
Carmarthen invited me to go with 
him in his coach to court. When 
we arrived in the antechamber the 
master of the ceremonies introduc- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



ed liim and attended me while tlie 
secietary of slate went to take the 
commands of the king. While I 
stood in this place, where it seems 
all ministers stand upon sueh occa- 
sions, always attended by the mus- 
ter of ceremonies, the loom was 
very full of ministers of state, bish- 
ops and all other sorts of conrtiers, 
as well as the n^xt room, which is 
the king's bed chamber. You niay 
well suppose I was the focus of all 
eyes. I was n^iicved, however, 
from the embairassment of it, by 
the Swedish and Dutch ministei-s, 
who came to me and entertained 
me with a very agreeblc conver- 
sation during the wliolc time. Some 
other gentlemen whom I had seen 
before, came to make their com- 
pliments to me iinlil the marquis 
of Carmarthen i-etui-ncd, and desired 
me to go with him to his majesty. 
I went with his lordship through 
the levee room into the king's 
closet. The dooj- was shut, and I 
was left with his majesty and the 
secretary of state alone. 1 made 
the three reverences: — one at the 
door, anothei- about half way, and 
another before the presence, accord- 
ing to the usage established at this 
and all the northern courts of Eu- 
rope, and then I addressed n-.yself 
to his majesty in the following 
words : 

' Sire : The United Slates have ap- 
pointed me minister plenipotentiary 
to your majesty, and have directed 
me to deliver (o your majesty this 
letter, whicli contains the evidence 
of it. It is in obedienc to their ex- 
press commands, that I have the 
honor to assure your majesty of 
their unanimous disposition and de- 
sire to cultivate the most friendly 
and liberal intercourse between youj- 
majesty's subjects and their citi- 
zens, and of their best wishes tor 
your majesty's health and happi- 
ness, and for that of your family. 

' The appointment of a minister 
from the United States to youi- ma- 
jesty's court will form an epoch in 



the history of England and Ameri- 
ca. I think myself more fortunate 
than all my fellow citizens, in hav- 
ing the distinguished honor to be 
the first to stand in your majesty's 
royal presence in a diplomatic char- 
acter ; and I shall esteem myself 
the happiest of men if I can be in- 
strumental in recommending my 
country more and more to your ma- 
jesty's roj'al benevolence, and of 
i-esioring an entire esteem, confi- 
dence and afieclion ; or, in better 
words, ' the old good nature and the 
good old hunior,' between people 
who, though separated by an ocean, 
and under different governments, 
have the same language, a similar 
i-eligion, a kindred blood. I beg 
your majesty's permission to add, 
that although I have somelimes be- 
fore been instructed by my country, 
it was never in my whole life in a 
manner so agreeable to myself.' 

The king listened to every word 
I said, with dignity, it is true, but 
with apparent emotion. Whether 
it was my visible agitation, for I felt 
more than 1 could express, that 
touched him, I cannot say; but he 
was much affected, and answered 
me with more tremor than I had 
spoken with, and said : — 

" Sir: The circumstances of this 
audience are so extraordinai-y, the 
language you have now held is so 
extremely proper, and the feelings 
you have discovered sojustly adapt- 
ed to the occasion that 1 not only 
receive with pleasure the assurance 
of the friencily disposition of the 
United States, but that I am glad 
the choice has fallen upon you to 
be their njinisfer. I wish you, sir, 
to believe and that it may be under- 
stood in America, tliat I have done 
nothing in the late contest but what 
I thought myself indespensibly 
bound to do, by the duty which I 
owed my people. I will be frank 
with you. I was the last to conform 
to the separation ; but the separa- 
tion having become inevitable, I 
have always said, as I now say, that 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



I would be the first to meet the 
friendship of the United States as 
an independent power. Tlie mo- 
ment I see such seutiinents and 
language as yours pi-evail, and a 
disposition to give tlii< country tlie 
preference, tliat nioiiicnt 1 shall say 
— let the circuinslances of language, 
religion, and hlooJ have their nat- 
ural full elVocf." 

I dare not say that these were 
the king's preci-ic words ; and it is 
even possible that I may have, in 
some particulars, mistaken his 
meaning ; for although his pronun- 
ciation is as distinct as I ever heard, 
he hesitated sonienines between 
members of the same period. He 
was, indeed, much affected, and I 
was not less so, and therefore I can- 
not be certain that 1 was so atten- 
tive, heard so clearly, and under- 
stood so perfectly, as to be confident 
of all his words, or sense. This I 
do say, that the foregoing is his ma- 
jesty's meaning, as I t'lcn under- 
stood it, and his own woi-ds, as near- 
ly as I can recollect them. 

The king then asked me whether 
I came la^t fro:n Franc:; ; and upon 
my answering in the ailirmative, he 
put on an air of familiarity, and, 
smiling, or rather laughing, said, 
'There is an opinion among some 
people that you are not the most at- 
tached of all your countrymen to 
the manners of France.' I was 
surprised at this, because I thought 
it an indiscretion, and a descent 
from his dignity. I was a little em- 
barrassed; but determined not to 
deny truth on the one hand, nor 
lead him to infer from it any attach- 
ment to England, on the other, I 
threw oflf as much gravity as I 
could, and assumed an air of gaiety, 
and a tone of decision, as far as was 
decent, and said, ' That opinion, 
sir, is not mistaken : I must avow to 
your majesty, I have no attachment 
but to my own country.' The king 
replied as quick as lightning, ' An 
honest man will ne\er have any 
other.' 



Tlie king then said a word or two 
to the secretary of s.tate, which be- 
ing between them I did not hear, 
and tlien turned round and bowed 
to ine, as is customary with all kings 
and piinces when they give the sig- 
nal to retire. I retreated, stepping 
backwards, as is the etiquette ; and 
making my last reverence at the 
door of the chamber, I went to my 
carriage." 

INIr. Adams died on the 4th of Ju- 
ly, IS26, with the same words on 
his lips which fifty years before, 
on that day, he had uttered on the 
floor of Congress, " Independence 
forever." 

Q,uin.el>aug River. 

This beautiful stream rises in 
Mashapaugpond, in Union, Ct. It 
passes N. to Brimtield, Mass., then 
a S. E. course to Thompson, Ct., 
where it receives French river from 
the north. It then traverses a S. 
direction about 30 miles, affording 
fertility and a great hydraulic pow- 
er in its course, when it joins the 
Shetucket, near the city of Nor- 
wich, and takes the name of that 
river to the Yantic. These three 
streams form the Thames. 

Q,ui»ei>iaclc River, Ct. 

This river rises in Bristol and 
Farniington, and passes through 
Southington, Cheshire, Meriden, 
Wallingford, and falls into Long 
Island Sound at New Haven. This 
i-i a pleasant mountain stream, of 
considerable power, and about 30 
miles in length. 

Q,uoddy Head, Me.; 

Or WestQuoddy Head, the west- 
ern entrance into Passamaquoddy 
bay. It is in N. lat. 44° 55', W. 
Ion. 66° 49'. It has a light house 
45 feet in height. See Lubec and 
Eastport. 

Race Point, Mass. 

The N. W. extremity of Capo 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



Cod. N. lat. 42° 6', W. Ion. 70° 7'. 
See Provincetown. 

Ragged Mountains, N. II., 

So called from their rough ap- 
pearance, lie between Andover and 
Hill, extending in a cliain about 10 
miles from the Peniigevvasset to the 
vicinity of Kearsarge. It is a bleak 
and precipitous range, and is nearly 
2,000 feet high, in its northern 
points. 

Xtail Roads in Nc-»v England. 

See Register. 

RandoIi>li, N. II. 

Coos CO. Until 1S24 this town 
was called Dur;ind. It is situated 
directly undei' the north end of the 
White mountains, its southeast cor- 
ner bounding on the base of Mount 
Madison, the east peak of the range. 
Branches of Israel's and Moose 
rivers pass through it. The soil is 
in some parts good, but the town in- 
creases slowly in its settlements. 
It was granted August 20, 1772, to 
John Durand and others, of Lon- 
don. Joseph Wilder and Stephen 
Jillson were the first settlers. Pop- 
ulation, 1830, 78. 

Randolph, Vt. 

Orange co. This is an elevated 
township of good soil, particularly 
for grazing. It is generally well 
improved, and produces good but- 
ter, cheese and mutton. Between 
twelve and thirteen thousand sheep 
graze in its pastures. 

It is well watered by branches of 
White river, on which ai-e two 
woolen mills and other manufac- 
tures. There are a number of flour- 
ishing business locations in the 
town : the centre village is very 
pleasant, and contains an academy 
of excellent reputation. This town 
was first settled about the year 1778. 
Population, 1830, 2,743. 

Randolph lies 23 miles S. from 
Montpelier, 9 S. W. from Chel- 



sea, and 34 N. N. W. from Wind- 



Randolpli, Mass. 

Norfolk CO. Randolph constitut- 
ed a part of ancient Braintree until 
1793, when it was incorporated. It 
lies 14 miles S. from Boston, 12 S. 
E. from Dedham, and 7 S. S. W. 
from Braintree landing. Popula- 
tion, 1820, 1,546; 1830, 2,200; 
1837, 3,041. Manatiquot river rises 
in the town, which, with other 
small streams, afford it a water pow- 
er. Punkapog pond lies in this 
town and Canton. The land is ele- 
vated between the waters of Mas- 
sachusetts bay and Taunton river; 
the surface is generally undulating 
and the soil sti-ong and productive. 
There are two very pleasant and 
flourishing villages in the town. 
East and West, surrounded by 
fertile and well cultivated fields. 
Randolph has long been noted for 
the industry of its people, in the 
manufacture of boots and shoes. 
During the year ending April 1st, 
1837, there were made in the town 
200,17.5 pairs of boots, and 470,620 
pairs of shoes, valued at ^944,715, 
employing 1,47.5 hands. There are 
manufactures of leather, &.c. in the 
town, but that of boots and shoes is 
the principal. 

Rangely, Me. 

Franklin co. This town lies on 
the Androscoggin river, and at the 
outlet of Oquossack lake. It is 
about 40 miles N. W. from Farm- 
ington. See '■^Down East." 

Raymond, Me. 

Cumberland co. Raymond is 
watered by Crooked river, and sev- 
eral ponds. This is a good farming 
town, with two villages, and some 
trade. The inhabitants are princi- 
pally devoted to agricultui'al pur- 
suits. In 1837 the population was 
1,802; wheat crop 3,203 bushels. 
Incorporated, 1S03. It lies 75 



NEW en(;la\d gazetteer. 



miles S. W. from A(i2;iista and 22 
N. N. W. from Portland. 

Raymond, N. H. 

Rockiiiffham co. This town lies 
25 miles W. by S. from Portsmouth, 
25 S. E. from Concord, 13 W. by 
N. from Exeter. Two branches 
of the Lamprey river, from Deer- 
field and Candia, unite in Ray- 
mond ; and the waters of two ponds 
also fall into this river as it passes 
through the town. The Patuckaway, 
from Nottingham, crosses the N. E. 
corner into Epping. The soil is 
various: that of the meadows bord- 
ering oa the river is productive. In 
the N. part of the town, about 100 
rods from the principal road leading 
to Decrfield, neai- the summit of a 
hill about 100 feet high, is a natu- 
ral excavation in a ledgs, called 
the Oven, from the appearance of 
it3 moutli. It is a regular arch 
about 5 feet high and of the same 
width, extending into the hill 
about 15 feet, and terminating in a 
number of fissures. Raymond was 
originally that part of Chester call- 
ed Charming -fare. It was incor- 
porated in 1765, by its present 
name. The names of 21 inhabi- 
tants of Raymond arc found enroll- 
ed among the soldiers of the revo- 
lution, beside numbers of the mili- 
tia engaged for short periods. Four 
were killed or died in service. 
Hon. JoH.v Dudley, adisfinguish- 
ed patriot of the revolution, mem- 
ber of the committee of safety, 
speaker of the house, and judge 
of the superior court, died here May 
21, 1805, aged 80. Population, in 
1830, 1,000. 

Raynliam, Mass. 

Bristol CO. This town lies on 
Taunton river, and was taken from 
Taunton in IT."!. Population, 1S:37, 
1,379. It is 30 miles S. from Bos- 
ton, 3 N. E. from Taunton, and 24 
E. from Providence. 

There are a number of large 
ponds in this town producing a good 



water power, and to which vast 
quantities of herring (abswives) 
resort. On the banks of one of 
these ponds, the celebrated King 
Philip had a hunting house. The 
first forge in America was erected 
in this town, by James and Henry 
Leonard, in 1652. The house of 
the Leonards, an old Gothic build- 
ing, is now standing, and owned by 
the 7tli generation. 

The manufactures of Raynham 
consist of bar iron, nails, iron cast- 
ings, anchors, shovels, forks, cof- 
fee mills, and straw bonnets : total 
value the yearending April 1, 1S37, 
$360,650 ; of which $300,000 was 
for nails. 

Rcadfield, Me. 

Kennebec co. This is an excel- 
lent township of land, and finely 
watered by ponds and small streams. 
The jieople are generally industri- 
ous farmers, who find the cultiva- 
tion of the earth tlie best source of 
independence. Readtield is a very 
pleasant town, and its vicinity to 
the Kennebec gives it many advan- 
tages. It lies 11 miles W. from 
Augusta. Population, 1837, 2,019. 
U'heat crop, same year, 6,391 bush- 
els. 

Reading, Vt. 

Windsor co. First settled, 1772. 
This is an elevated township, uneven 
and mountainous. Several small 
streams rise hei-e and pass to the 
Queechy and Hlack rivers. This 
town affords excellent pasturage, 
in which about 6,000 slieep are 
kept. Reading lies 53 miles S. 
from Montpelier, and 10 W. from 
Windsor. Population, 1830, 1,409. 

Reading, Mass. 

Middlesex co. Reading is an 
ancient town, 13 miles N. from 
I3oston, 10 \V. from Salem, and 17 
N. E. from Concord. 

The surface of the town is une- 
ven, but the soil is generally of a 
good quality. The village is pleas- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



ant and flourishing. During the 
year ending April 1, 1837, the val- 
ue of $184,583 of boots and shoes 
were made in Reading, and $91,390 
of chairs and cabinet ware. First 
settled, 1640. Population, 1837, 
2,144. 

Reading, Ct. 

Fail-field co. This town was in- 
corporated in 17o7, and derived its 
name from Col. John Read, one of 
its first settlers. The soil of the 
town is good, but the surface is 
rough and hilly. The business of 
the people is chiefly agricultural, 
who live scattered about on their 
farms. Considerable attention is 
paid in Reading to the growing of 
wool. It lies 15 miles N. W. from 
Bridgeport, 60 S. V/. from Hart- 
ford, and 9 S. from Danbury. Pop- 
ulation, 1830, 1,636. It is watered 
by Saugatuck and Norwalk rivers. 

Joel. Barlow, LL. D., was 
born in this town, 1755. He died 
in Poland, 1S12. 

America has produced few men, 
more justly deserving of immortal- 
ity than Barlow ; and none, it is be- 
lieved, who have made their title 
to it more sure. Pie lived in an 
eventful period, aiid acted a con- 
spicuous part in both hemispheres ; 
and as a poet, a man of science, a 
politician, a philosopher and a phi- 
lanthropist, his name will long be 
revered by the friends of civil liber- 



ty, and of science, throughout the 
civilized world. 

Red HUl, BT. H. 

See Moultojihorough. 

ReadsboroiigU, Vt. 

Bennington co. A mountainous 
township, at the S. E. corner of the 
county, watered by Deerfield river, 
12 miles S. E. from Bennington, 
and 18 W. by S. from Brattle bo- 
rough. Much of the land in the 
town is too elevated to admit of cul- 
tivation. Population, 1830, 662. 

Reliobotli, Mass. 

Bristol CO. This town was first 
settled in 1643, by the Rev. Samu- 
el Newman and others from Wey- 
mouth. Rehoboth formerly com- 
prised the towns of Seekonk and 
Pawtucket. This ancient town suf- 
fered greatly by Indian depreda- 
tions. The surface of the town is 
pleasant, and the soil generally 
good for tillage. Its manufactures 
consist of cotton goods, leather, 
shoes, cutlery, ploughs, straw bon- 
nets, carpenters' and joiners' tools, 
wagons, ox yokes, bobbins, cotton 
batting, wooden ware, &c. : annual 
value, about $60,000. Rehoboth 
is watered by Palmer's river. It 
lies 40 miles S. by W. from Boston, 
10 S. W. from Taunton, and 7 E. 
from Providence, R. I. Popula- 
tion, 1837, 2,202. Its Indian name 
was Saccnet. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 




WE^^^i^jm 



s?^i 



RHODE ISLAND. 



The State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations was settled by 
Roger Williams in 1636, a man remarkable for his benevolence, justice, 
and pacific policy. It derived its name fi-oiii that of a beautiful island at 
the mouth of Narraganset bay. Its government commenced under the 
charter of Charles II., in 1663, which cliarter is the present Constitution 
of the State. It became a member of the Union May •29(h, 1790. 

The Legislative power is vested in a Senate and House of Represen- 
tatives. The number of Senators cannot be more nor less than 10, 2 
from each county, and are chosen annually by the people on the 3d Wed- 
nesday in April. The Representatives are in number 72. No town has 
less than 2, and but 4 towns have more than 2, viz. — Newport 6, Prov- 
idence 4, Portsmouth 4, and Warwick 4 : the number for each town hav- 
ing been determined by law without reference to tlie present ratio of 
population. They are elected semi-annually by the people, on the 3d 
Wednesday of April, and last Tuesday of August. 

The Legislature meet at Newport on the 1st Wednesday of May, and 
at Providence and South Kingston, alternately, on the last Monday of 
October annually. 

The executive power is vested in a Governor and Lieut. Governor, 
elected annually by the people on the 3d Wednesday of April. Their 
official term commences on the 1st Wednesday in May. 
30 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 

Saccession of Governors. 

Nicholas Cooke, 1776—1778. William Greene, 1773—1786. John 
Collins, 1786—1789. Arthur Fenner, 1789—1805. Henry Smith, 
(Act. Gov.) 1805. Isaac Wilborn, (Lieut. Gov.) 1806. James Fenner, 
1807—1811. William Jones, 1811—1817. Nehemiah R. Knight, 
1817—1821. William C. Gibb?, 1821—1824. James Fenner, 1824— 
1831. Lemuel H. Arnold, 1831—18.33. John Brown Francis, 
1833— 

The judicial power is vested in the Supreme Judicial Court and Court 
of Common Pleas. 

The Judges of all the Courts, Sheriffs, Notaries, Justices of the Peace, 
and Clerks of the Courts are chosen annually by the Legislature in 
Grand Committee. In all the towns (except Providence) the town coun- 
cils are, ex officio, Courts of Probate, and the town Clerks, Registers of 
Deeds and Probate. The Municipal Court in the city of Providence ex- 
ercise probate jurisdiction, and the Clerk is Register of Probate. The 
city Clerk is Register of Deeds. 

This state annually appropriates $10,000, to be divided among the 
towns for the support of free schools. 

Rhode Island comprises five counties : Providence, Newport, Bristol, 
Kent and Washington. It is bounded N. and E. by the state of Massa- 
chusetts, S. by the Atlantic ocean, and W. by the state of Connecticut. 
It lies between 41° and 42° N. lat., and between 71° and 72° W. long, 
and comprises an area of 1850 square miles. Population, 1755, 40,414 
1774,59,678; 1790,68,825; 1800, 69,122; 1810,75,188; 1820,83,059 
1830,97,196. Population to square a mile, 71. 

The natural features of this state are somewhat peculiar. About a 
tenth part of it is water, and of the residue of land a considerable portion 
is island territory. The interior of the state, with the exception of the in- 
tervales along the streams, is generally rough and hilly. 

The most considerable eminences are Mount Hope, in Bristol, Hop- 
kins' Hill, in West Greenwich, and W'oonsocket Hill, in Sniithfield. 
There are also some hills of considerable elevation in Exeter. Rhode 
Island, and most of the other islands in Narraganset bay, disclose a 
geological structure, of the transition character, and present a surface 
generally undulating, and often highly picturesque and beautiful. 

The mineral treasures of the State have not been explored : but so far 
as they are known, they are not extensive or valuable. Iron ore is 
the most important mineral. Mineral coal is found upon Rhode Island. 
Limestone abounds in the northeastern section of the state ; and in these 
calcareous strata there are some excellent quarries of marble. Serpen- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 

tine marble is also found, ami there are in various places extensive quar- 
ries of freestone. 

The navigable waters of Rhode Island are abundant, and mill streams 
are found in every section of the continental part of the state. Rhode 
Island claims a conspicuous rank for its enterprise in foreign commerce, 
domestic trade, and the fishery. The tonnage of the state in 1837, was 
45,631 tons. During the war with the Indian Sachem, Philip, and the 
war of the revolution, Rhode Island was always found at its post. lu 
these wars her soldiers were conspicuous for bravery ; among whom 
were found some of the most distinguished officers of the age. The rise 
and progress of this state to wealth and reputation is very interesting. 
It is the smallest republican state in the world, and the most important 
manufacturing district of its size in America. An impartial history of 
Rhode Island will soon be published by one of its distinguished sons : — 
that history will contain a merited eulogium on the character of its people. 

Rhode Island is celebrated for its mild and salubrious climate, which is 
thought peculiarly favorable to female beauty. See Register. 



Richfortl, Vt. 

Franklin CO. This is a mountain- 
ous township at the N. E. corner 
of the county, on the line of Cana- 
da, and watered by Missisque river 
and its branches. It lies 50 miles 
N. by W. from Montpelier, and 21 
N. E. from St. Albans. There is 
some good land along the river ; 
and the upland, though rough, af- 
fords good grazing. Population, 
1830, 704. First settled, about 
1790. 

Richmond, Me. 

Lincoln co. Within these limits, 
on the west bank of Kennebec river, 
stood an ancient fortress called Rich- 
mond ; hence the name of the town. 
It lies between Bowdoinham and 
Gardiner, and is the site of some 
ship building and navigation. The 
town has mill privileges on a stream 
which empties into Merrymeeting 
bay: its soil is productive, and its 



location pleasant. Richmond lies 
15 miles S. from Augusta and 15 
N. from Topsham. Incorporated, 
1823. Population, 1837, 1,526. 
Wheat crop, same year, 1,656 
bushels. 

Richmond, N. H. 

Cheshire co. This town is 12 
miles S. from Keene, and 70 S. W. 
from Concord. It is watered by 
branches of Ashuelot and Miller's 
rivers, which fall into the Connec- 
ticut. The ponds are three in num- 
ber, one of which is one of the .sour- 
ces of Miller's river. The soil here 
is favorable for yielding rye, wheat, 
Indian corn, and most of the pro- 
ductions found in this section of 
New England. The land is gen- 
erally level. There are no remark- 
able elevations. Richmond was 
granted in 1752, and was settled 
within 5 or 6 years afterwards, by 
people from Massachusetts and 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



Rhode Island. Population, in 1S30, 
1,301. 

Kichmoiid, Vt. 

Chittenden co. Richmond is 24 
miles N. W. from Montpelier, and 
13 S. E. from Burlington. Popula- 
tion, 1830,1,109. First settled, 1784. 
The town is finely watered by On- 
ion and Huntington rivers, on the 
banks of which are good mill seats 
and lar-^e tracts of beautiful mead- 
ow. Ti.°. village is neat, and the 
centre of considerable travel. The 
several religious denominations uni- 
ted here in building a curious look- 
ing meeting house ; it has sixteen 
sides. This is a healthy place, and 
noted for the longevity of its inhab- 
itants. 

RicJiinomcl, Mass. 

Berkshire co. This town is situ- 
ated in a deep valley of excellent 
soil, surrounded by elevated lands, 
and watered by Williams' river. 
This is an excellent farming town; 
the farmers' houses, extending some 
miles on one street, are neatly built 
and make a beautiful appearance. 
Iron ore of a good quality is found 
here in abundance, also marble and 
lime. The manufactures of the 
town consist of pig iron, shovels, 
spades, forks, hoes, leather, hoots 
and shoes. Annual value, about 
$50,000. In 1836, there were 
4,835 merino sheep in Richmond. 
They produced 14,505 pounds of 
wool, valued at $8,703. It lies 
135 miles W. from Boston, and 5 \V. 
from Lenox. Incorporated, 1765. 
Population, 1837, 820. 

Riclunond, R. I. 

Washington co. Richmond is 
bounded on the west by Wood river, 
and on the east by the i-iver Charles. 
Other streams water the town, 
which, with the AVood and Charles 
give it an excellent water power. 
Manufacturing establishments of 
various kinds flourish on its streams, 
particularly those of cotton. The 



soil is a gravelly loam, with an un- 
even surface. The agricultural 
productions of the town are very 
considerable. 

This is an excellent township for 
grazing; a large amount of wool 
and of the productions of the dairy 
is annually transported. Richmond 
was incorporated in 1742. It lies 
30 miles S. S. W. from Piovidence 
and is bounded E. by South Kings- 
ton. The Providence and Stoning- 
ton rail-road passes through the S. 
E. corner of the town. Population, 
in 1830, 1,363. 

Ridgefleld, Ct. 

Fairfield co. Ridgefield, or, as 
the Indians called it, Caudatowa, 
a word signifying high land, is 
bounded W. by New Salem, N. Y. 
and lies 31 miles W. by N. from 
New Haven, and 9 S. by W. from 
Danbury. This township is very 
elevated, and commands extensive 
views of Long Island Sound and of 
the surrounding country. The soil 
is a strong gravelly loam, and pro- 
ductive of grass and grain. It is 
watered by Saugatuck and Norwalk 
rivers, and by a branch of the Cro- 
ton. It comprises a very liandsome 
village, in which are manufactures 
of carriages, cabinet furniture, &c. 
Limestone is abundant. Popula- 
tion, 1830, 2,323. Incorporated, 
1709. 

The celebrated hermitess, Sarah 
Bishop, lived on the western bor- 
der of Ridgefield. She lived on 
Long Island at the time of the 
Revolutionary war. Her father's 
house was bui-nt by the British, and 
she was cruelly treated by a Brit- 
ish officer. She then left society 
and wandered among the mountains 
near this part of the state : she found 
a kind of cave near Ridgefield, 
where she resided fill about the 
time of her death, which took place 
in 1810. It is said that the wild an- 
imals were so accustomed to see 
her, that they were not afraid of 
her presence. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



The following account of a visit 
to this hermitess, is taken from a 
Poughkeepsie paper. 

" Yesterday I went to visit the 
hermitage. As you pass the south- 
ern and elevated ridge of the moun- 
tain, and begin to descend the south- 
ern steep, you meet with a perpen- 
dicular descent of a rock, in the 
front of which is this cave. At the 
foot of this'rock is a gentle descent 
of rich and fertile ground, extend- 
ing about ten rods, when it instant- 
ly forms a frightful precipice, de- 
scending half a mile to the pond 
called Long pond. In the front of 
the rock, on the north, where the 
cave is, and level with the ground, 
there appears a lai-gc frustrum of 
the rock, of a double fathom in size, 
thrown out by some unknown con- 
vulsion of nature, and lying in the 
front of the cavity from which it 
was rent, partly enclosing the 
mouth, and forming a room : the 
rock is left entire above, and forms 
the roof of this humble mansion. 
This cavity is the habitation of the 
hermitess, in which she has passed 
the best of her years, excluded 
from all society ; she keeps no do- 
mestic animal, not even fowl, cat, 
or dog Her little jjlantation, con- 
sisting of iialf an acre, is cleared 
of its wood, and reduced to grass, 
where she has raised a few peach 
trees, and yearly plants, a few hills 
of beans, cucumbers, and potatoes ; 
the whole is surrounded with a 
luxuriant grape vine, which over- 
spreads the surrounding wood, and 
is very productive. On the oppo- 
site side of this little tenement, is a 
fine fountain of excellent water ; at 
this fountain we found the wonder- 
ful woman, who<e appearance it is 
a little ditficult to describe : indeed, 
like nature in its first state, she was 
without form. Her dress appeared 
little else than one confused and 
shapeless mass of rags, patched to- 
gether without any order, which 
obscured all human shape, except- 
ing her head, which was clothed 

30* 



with a luxuriancy of lank grey hair 
depending on every side, as time 
had formed it, without any covering 
or ornament. When she discover- 
ed our approach, she exhibited the 
appearance of a wild and timid an- 
imal ; and started and hastened to 
her cave, which she entered, and 
barricaded the entrance with old 
shells, pulled from the decayed 
trees. We approached this humble 
habitation, and after some conver- 
sation with its inmate, obtained lib- 
erty to remove the palisadoes and 
look in ; for we were not able to 
enter, the room being only sufficient 
to accommodate one person. We 
saw no utensil, either for labor or 
cookery, save an old pewter basin 
and a gourd shell, no bed but the 
solid rock, unless it were a few old 
rags, scattered here and there ; no 
bed clothes of any kind, not the 
least appearance of food or fire. 
She had, indeed, a place in one cor- 
ner of her cell, where a fire had at 
some time been kindled, but it did 
not appear there had been one for 
some months. To confirm this, a 
gentleman says he passed her cell 
five or six days after the great fall 
of snow in the beginning of March, 
that she had no fire then, and had 
not been out of her cave since the 
snow had fallen. How she subsists 
during the severe season, is yet a 
mystery ; she says she eats but lit- 
tle flesh of any kind; in the sum- 
mer she lives on berries, nuts, and 
roots. We conversed with her for 
some time, found her to be of a 
sound mind, a religious turn of 
thought, and entirely happy in her 
situation ; of this she has given re- 
peated proofs by refusing to quit 
this dreary abode. She keeps a Bi- 
ble with her, and says she takes 
much satisfaction, and spent much 
time in reading it." 

Rilcy, Me. 

Oxford CO. This is a township of 
rough and unprofitable land, with 
few inhabitants ; near to, and south 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



of Speekled mountain, on the line 
of New Hampshire. It lies 30 
miles N. W. from Paris. 

Rindge, jV. H. 

Cheshire co. This town is 20 
miles S. E. from Keene, 50 S. W. 
from Concord, and 55 \V. N. W. 
from Boston. The soil is productive, 
lying on swells of land for the most 
part inclining to the south. There 
are 13 ponds, the largest of which 
are called Manomonack, Emerson, 
Parley, Long, Grassy, and Bullet. 
The 3 first discharge their waters 
into Miller's river in Mass., thence 
communicating with the Connecti- 
cut ; the 3 last discharge them- 
selves into Contoocook river, and 
from thence into the Merrimack. 
These ponds abound with fish, and 
were much frequented by the In- 
dians for procuring fur, &,c. There 
is a small elevation of land in 
Rindge, from which the waters that 
issue on one side descend into the 
Merrimack, and those on the other 
side, into the Connecticut. Iron 
is found here ; also a species of 
paint nearly equal to the best qual- 
ity of Spanish brown. Rindge was 
originally called Rowley Canada, 
or Monadnocl; No. 1. It received 
its present name from one of the 
proprietors, when it was incorpora- 
ted, in 1768. The settlement com- 
menced, 1752, by Jonathan Stanley, 
George Hewitt and Abel Platts. 
Popuhition, in 1830, 1,269. 

Ripley, Me. 

Somerset co. A good farming 
town, 60 miles N. by E. from Au- 
gusta, and 30 N. E. from Norridge- 
wock. Incoiporated, 1816. Pop- 
ulation, 1837, 555. Wheat crop, 
same year, 3,512 bushels. A branch 
of Sebasticook river passes through 
the town. 

Ripton, Vt. 

Addison co. This is a mountain- 
ous township, the surface and soil 
of which are too broken and cold 



for much cultivation. Middlebury 
river and the turnpike from Royal- 
ton to Vergennes pass through it. 
Ripton lies 26 miles S. W. from 
Montpelier, and 9 E. fiom Middle- 
bury. Population, 1S30, 278. 

Robbinstoii, Me. 

Washington co. This town lies 
on the Schoodic or St. Croix river, 
opposite to St. Andrews, in New 
Brunswick. It is 16 miles N. N. 
W. from Eastport, 30 N. E. from 
Machias and 192 E. N. E. from Au- 
gusta. This place enjoys great 
navigable privileges, and is the site 
of considerable ship building, and 
commerce in lumber. Incorporated, 
1811. Population, 1837,702. This 
town was settled soon after the re- 
volutionary war. The first mail 
came to this place in 1796. A mail 
stage now arrives three times a 
week, and crosses the river to New 
Brunswick. Robbinston was nam- 
ed in compliment to the Hon. Ed- 
ward H. Robbins, foi-merly Lieut. 
Governor of Massachusetts, and for 
many years speaker of the House 
of Representatives of that state. 

Rocliester, N. H., 

One of the county towns of Straf- 
ford CO., is 10 miles N. W. from 
Dover, 22 N. W. from Portsmouth, 
34 E. from Concord. Besides Sal- 
mon fall I'iver, which divides this 
town from Berv.ick and Lebanon, in 
the state of Maine, the Coche- 
co river runs the whole length of 
the town, and nearly in the middle, 
and the Isinglass river crosses the 
southerly corner of the town just 
before its junction with Cocheco 
river, at a place called Blind Will's 
Neck. Both Salmon fall and Co- 
checo rivers afford valuable mill- 
seats; on the latter of which, near 
the centre of the town, stands the 
principal village, called JVorwai/ 
Plains. It is a place of consider- 
able trade, and a great thorough- 
fare from the upper towns in the 
county to Dover and Portsmouth. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



There is another vilhij^e about 2 
miles S. W.froin this, called Squam- 
anagonnick, the Indian name of 
the tails in the Coclieco at that 
place. Much of the soil in Roch- 
ester is good ; the surfiice is uneven, 
with several swells, the piincipai 
of which is Squamanagonnick hill, 
which constitutes a considerable 
part of several valuable farms. In 
the W. part of the town, is a large 
tract of oak land, which is hard and 
stony ; has a deep rich soil, and is 
very productive when well cultiva- 
ted. The town was incorporated, 
in 1722. The first permanent set- 
tlement was made in 172S. Until 
Canada was taken by the British 
and American troops in 1760, it re- 
mained a frontier town ; the peo- 
ple were poor and distressed, but 
not discouraged. Their men were 
bold, hardy and industrious ; and 
their sons were trained to the use 
of arms. They early became a ter- 
ror to their foes. In 1748, the wife 
of Jonathan Hodgdon was killed on 
a Sunday morning by the Indians, 
on refusing to be taken to Canada 
with the party. Her husband mar- 
ried again, had 21 children in all, 
and died in 1S15, aged 90 years. In 
the revolutionary war, many of the 
inhabitants bore a part. Captains 
David Place and John Brewster led 
companies to Ticonderoga, and suf- 
fered much in their retreat from 
that place in 1777. Of the soldiers 
from Rochester, 29 were killed or 
died in that contest. Pop. 1830,2,155. 

Rocliester, Vt. 

Windsor co. Rochester lies 30 
miles S. S. W. from Montpelier, 37 
N. W. from Windsor, and 20 S. E. 
from Middlebury. It is watered by 
White river, which supplies it with 
mill seats. A large partof the surface 
of the township is brokeii and moun- 
tainous, but it contains much good 
land for grazing and some tracts of 
excellent meadow. It has a pleasant 
village with some trade. In 1837, 
there were 9,000 sheep in the town. 



17S3. Population, 



First settled, 
1830, 1,392. 

Rocliestcr, Mass. 

Plymouth co. A large maritime 
town on Buzzard's bay, 9 miles 
E. from New Bedford, and 48 S. S. 
E. from Boston. Incoiporated, 1686. 
Population, 1837, 3,570. The face 
of the town is uneven and the soil 
light. Mattepoiset and Sipican riv- 
ers, rising in large ponds in the 
town, empty into the bay and form 
good harbors. The manufactures 
of Rochester consist of vessels, salt, 
bar iron, boots, shoes, &.c. ; value, 
the year ending Apiil 1, 1837, 
$101,811. During that period there 
were 9 vessels engaged in the whale 
fishery, and brought into port 116,- 
928 g"allons of oil, valued at $71, 
658. A number of merchant ves- 
sels belong to this place, and numer- 
ous coasting and fishing vessels. 

IXocl^ingliani County, N. H. 

Portsmouth and Exeter are the 
chief towns. The county of Rock- 
ingham is bounded N. and N. E. 
by Slratfoi-d county; E. by the At- 
lantic, from the mouth of Piscata- 
qua river to the line of Massachu- 
setts ; W. bj' the counties of Mer- 
rimack and Hillsborough. Its great- 
est length is about 34 miles; its 
greatest breadth, from the west cor- 
ner of Chester to the extremity of 
Rye, is about 30 miles. It compri- 
ses an area of 695 square miles. 
There are no remarkable elevations 
in this county ; the sui-facc, how- 
ever, is uneven, and in the north 
part, from the higher eminences, 
there are some very tine views of 
the surrounding country. The 
highest point is Saddleback moun- 
tain, in Northwood and Deerfield. 
The rivers are the Lamprey, Exe- 
ter, Beaver, and Spiggot, which 
water the east and southeast parts 
of the county. Great Bay, be- 
tween Newington and New Mark- 
et, and connecting with the Piscat- 
aqua, is the largest collection of 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



water. Massabesick pond or lake 
is principally in Chester, and is 
picturesque from its numerous isl- 
ands and the surrounding eleva- 
tions. The other principal ponds 
are Islandy, in Hamsptead, Coun- 
try, in Kingston, and Pleasant in 
Deerfield. 

The soil of this county having 
been longer cultivated than that of 
any other county in the state, is 
very productive ; and agricultural 
pursuits have been very success- 
ful. In 1837, there were 23,333 
sheep in the county. The popula- 
tion, in 1S20, was 40,526 ; and in 
in 1830, 44,5.32. Population to a 
square mile, 64. 

Roc!£iug]iain, Vt. 

Windsor CO. This town is beau- 
tifully situated on the west side of 
Connecticut river, and at the cele- 
brated " Bellows Falls," noted un- 
der JValpole N. H. The water pow- 
er afforded by these falls, with that 
of Williams and Sexton's rivers, 
which pass through the town, are 
of vast extent ; it cannot fail of be- 
coming exceedingly useful, and of 
rendering this town and vicinity 
the site of immense manufacturing 
operations. Large and expensive 
manufacturing establishments have 
recently been commenced ; an ac- 
count of which may be expected 
in the Register. 

This place lies on a navigable 
river, 65 miles above Northampton, 
and 85 above Springfield, Mass., 
Ill above Hartford, Ct., and 23 be- 
low Windsor, Vt. It is 85 miles 
S. from Montpelier, and 18 N. E. 
from Newfane. First settled in 
1753. Population, 1830, 2,272. 

The surface of the town is une- 
ven ; but the soil is generally 
strong, warm and productive. Its 
agricultural products are consider- 
able : in 1837, it pastured 12,600 
sheep. 

The location of Rockingham 
renders it a mart of much interi- 
or trade, and has caused the erec- 



tion of a number of pleasant villa- 
ges. The scenery around the falls, 
in Rockingham, is of a sublime 
character, and perhaps no section 
of New England possesses a great- 
er variety of minerals than are found 
in this vicinity. 

Rome, Me. 

Franklin co. This is a beautiful 
farming town, watered by several 
large ponds. It lies 19 miles N. 
N. W. from Augusta, and 13 E. S. 
E. from Farmington. It contains a 
pleasant and flourishing village. 
Incorporated in 1804. Population, 
1837, 1,074. Wheat crop, same 
year, 4,177 bushels. 

Roive, Mass. 

Franklin co. This town con- 
tains the site of old fort Pelham, 
erected in 1744. The township is 
elevated, and in some parts moun- 
tainous, but the soil is adn])(ed for 
grazing. Considerable wool is pro- 
duced ; and there are manufactures 
in the town of woolen goods, boots, 
shoes, leather, and wooden ware. 

Rowe is the source of a branch 
of Deerfield river, and lies 130 
miles N. W. from Boston, and 22 
W. by N. from Greentield. Incor- 
porated, 1785. Population, 1837, 
688. 

Rowley, Blass. 

Essex CO. This town was first set- 
tled by a party of industrious and pi- 
ous persons from Yorkshire, Eng. in 
1C.S9. They erected the first full- 
ing mill in New England, and man- 
ufactui-ed the first cloth in North 
America. There are a great vari- 
ety of soils in the town ; a large 
part is salt meadow, and the resi- 
due is fertile and productive. It 
comprises a part of Plum island, 
and large tracts of wood land. It 
is watered by Rowley river, which 
rises from several ponds in Boxford. 
This river affords a water power, 
and before its junction with Plum 
Island Sound, forms a harbor for 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



vessels of moderate draught of wa- 
ter, and in which many vessels 
have been built. 

Ancient Rowley was divided in 
1838 : its western part was de- 
tached and incorporated by the 
name of Georgetown. Since this 
division Rowley possesses but lit- 
tle manufacturing interest, but a 
valuable agricultural one, to which 
its inhabitants are principally devo- 
ted. 

This ancient town is very pleas- 
ant, and has been the birth place 
of many learned men. It lies 'SO 
miles N. from Boston, 16 N. by W. 
from Salem, and 25 E. N. E. from 
Lowell. Population, 1838, about 
1,000. 

Roxbiu-y, Me. 

Oxford CO. The surface of this 
town is elevated, and well timber- 
ed, with some good soil. Roxbury 
is watered by a branch of Andros- 
coggin river. It lies 80 miles N. 
from Paris, and is bounded S. by 
Rumford. Incorporated, 1835. — 
Population, 1837, 182. 

Roxlmry, N. H., 

Cheshire CO., is 5 miles E. from 
Keene, and 50 S. W. from Concord. 
The N. branch of Ashuelot river 
forms the boundary between this 
town and Kcene. Roaring Brook, 
on which are several small meadows, 
waters the S. part, and en)pties in- 
to the Ashuelot at the S. W. cor- 
ner. On the E. side of the town- 
ship is a pond, called Roaring Brook 
pond, at the outlet of which are 
mills. 

Roxbury presents a rough and 
uneven surface, rising into consid- 
erable swells, affording excellent 
grazing land. 

This town was formed of a part 
of Nelson, Marlborough and Keene, 
and incorporated in 1812. Popula- 
tion, 1830, 322. 

Roxbury, Vt. 

Washington co. This town is 



' elevated between the waters of 
Onion and White rivers. It lies 15 
miles S. S. W. from IVIontpelier. 
First settled, 178t). Population, 
1830, 737. 

Roxljury, Mass. 

Norfolk CO. This town is joined 
to Boston by a neck of land, over 
which are bioad and pleasant ave- 
nues. Between the centre of each 
town is about 3 miles. The surface 
is rocky and uneven, with a strong 
soil in a high state of cultivation. 
It displays a great degree of agricul- 
tural taste and skill, and abounds in 
counti-y seats and pleasure grounds. 
That part of this town bordering on 
Jamaica pond, 4 miles S. W. from 
Boston, is exceedingly pleasant. 
This town and Boston were incor- 
porated the same year, (1630 ;) and 
nothing but municipal regulations 
divide their interests and feelings. 
Population, 1810, 3,669; 1820, 
4,135; 1830,5,247; 1837,7,493. 

The first hourly coach from Bos- 
ton commenced running to this town 
in 1827. There are now a large 
number continually running be- 
tween the two places, and not less 
than 250,000 persons pass annually. 
Since that time, others of a similar 
kind have been established to 
Charlestown, Cambridge, Dorches- 
ter, &c., and tend greatly to pro- 
mote the public convenience. 

The manufactures of Roxbury 
consist of leather, nails, hats, chairs, 
cabinet ware, pig iron, spirits, &,c.: 
annual value, about $;300,000. 

The Rev. John Eliot, the just- 
ly celebrated " Apostle of the In- 
dians," was settled in Roxbury in 
1632. Mr. Eliot imbil)cd the true 
spirit of the gospel, and his lieart 
was touched with the wretched 
condition of the Indians. He learn- 
ed their language, and translated 
the scriptures into it. Tliis would 
seem the business of a life, when 
the sense of the simple expression, 
"Kneeling down to him," is con- 
veyed in the Indian language 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



by Wutappessttuhqussunnooweh- 
tunkquoh, a word that would puz- 
zle a Demosthenes to pronounce, 
without an extra pebble stone in his 
moutli. Mr. Eliot was remarkable 
for his indefatigable labors and 
charities; he endured hardship as 
a good soldier of Jesus Christ, and 
went to his reward in 1690, aged 
86. 

This was the birth place and 
residence of the patriot Joseph 
Warren. Dr. Warren was born 
in 1740. He graduated at Harvard 
college in IT.'ii). He was an ardent 
lover of his country, and sensibly 
felt the weight of lier oppressions. 
Four days previous to the battle 
of " Bunker Hill," he received a 
commission in the army of Major 
General. He was within the en- 
trenchment, and was slain on that 
hallowed spot, just at the com- 
mencement of the retreat. Dr. 
Warren was an able statesman, an 
eloquent orator, a man of uncom- 
promising integrity and undaunt- 
ed bravery. General Vfarren was 
the iirst officer of rank that fell in 
that glorious contest for liberty. 
His death shed a gloom throughout 
the country : he was exceedingly 
beloved for the mildness and affa- 
bility of his deportment, and for 
the virtues of liis private life. 

Roxlmry, Ct. 

Litchfield CO. Roxbury was tak- 
en from Woodbury and incorpora- 
ted in ISOl. It lies .32 miles N. W. 
from New Haven, 46 W. S. W. from 
Hartford, and 15 S. by W. from 
Litchfield. Population, 1830,1,122. 

The town is diversified with liills 
and vales. The soil is a gravelly 
loam, interspersed with some small 
tracts of sandy loam. It is water- 
ed by the Shepaug, a branch of the 
Housatonick. In digging for sil- 
ver, a species of iron ore, called 
steel ore, was discovered. 

Royalston, Mass. 

Worcester co. Royalston is a 



pleasant town, and is well watered 
by Miller's river, a beautiful mill 
>trearn. The surface of the town 
is uneven, but the soil is generally 
rich and productive. There are 
two woolen mills, and manufactures 
of boots, shoes, leather, chairs, 
cabinet ware, palm-leaf hats and 
mats, wooden ware. &c. First 
settled, 1762. Incorporated, 17C5. 
ft lies 70 miles W. N. W. from 
Boston, and oS N. W. from Wor- 
cester. Population, 1S37, 1,629. 

Royalton, Vt. 

Windsor co. The surface of this 
town is somewhat rough and moun- 
tainous, but the soil is good, partic- 
ularly on the banks of White river, 
by which it is watered. 

This town was first settled in 
1771, and for many years endured 
great suffering from Indian hostili- 
ty. This is an excellent township 
for grazing, and its agricultural 
products are considerable. It has a 
pleasant village and an academy. 

Royalton is 30 miles S. from 
Montpelier, and 25 N. N. W. from 
Windsor. Population, in 1830, 
1,893. 

Ruinford, Me. 

Oxford CO. Rum ford is a town- 
ship of valuable land, 51 miles W. 
N. W. from Augusta, and 20 N. 
by W. from Paris. It lies on the 
northwestern bank of the Andros- 
coggin, and enjoys a great water 
power. Mills of various kinds are 
already erected, and manufactures 
on a large scale are contemplated. 
White Cap mountain, lising 500 
feet above the level of the surround- 
ing country, and Glass-face, about 
400 feet, present beautiful views 
from tlieir summits. Population, 
1837, 1,882. Wheat crop, same 
year, 4,385 bushels. Incorporated, 
1800. 

Rwnaiiey, N. H. 

Grafton co. Rumney is 8 miles 
N. N. W. fi-om Plymouth, 47 N. by 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



W. from Concord. It is watered 
by Baker's river, of wliicli a con- 
siderable branch tlows from Stin- 
son's pond, and is called Stinson's 
brook. The pond is 400 rods long 
and 280 rods wide. Part of Loon 
pond is on the E. line of this town. 
The principal elevations are Stin- 
son's and Webber's mountains in 
the E. part, and a small [lart of 
Carr's mountain, which here ob- 
tains the name of Rattlesnake 
mountain, on its N. W. border. 
Rumney was granted in 17()7, and 
was first settled in ITC.j. It was 
in this town, on the 2Sth of April, 
1752, that the late (Jeneral Stark, 
while on a huntin;; expedition, was 
captured by a party of 10 Indians, 
commanded by Francis Titigavv. 
lie was in company with Amos 
Eastman of Concord, David Stinson 
of Londondci-ry, and his brother 
William. Stinson was slain. Pop- 
ulation, in 1830, i)'J'3. 

Rupert, Vt. 

Bennington co. A part of this 
township is mountainous, but the 
soil is generally good for grazing. 
Rupert produces some fine cattle, 
and keeps about 10,000 sheep. It 
is watered by Pavvlet river, and a 
branch of the Battenkill, on which 
streams, are mills of various kinds. 
Rupert is 78 miles S. W. from Wont- 
pelier, and 2.5 N. from Bennington. 
Population, 1830, 1,313. 

Russell, Mass. 

Hampden co. Westticld river 
waters this town, and afT(:)rdsit good 
mill privileges. There is a cotton 
mill in the town and other manufac- 
tures. Russell lies 100 miles W. by 
S. from Boston, and 14 W. by N. 
from Springfield. Incorporated, 
1792. Population, 1837, 47-5. 

Rutlaud County, Vt. 

Rutland, chief town. This coun- 
ty is bounded N. by Addison coun- 
ty, E. by Windsor county, S. by 
Bennington county, and W. by the 



state of New York. Incorporated, 
17S1. Population, 1820, 29,983; 
1830,31,294. This county contains 
an area of 958 square miles. In- 
habitants to a square mile, 33. The 
pi-incipal streams are Otter Creek, 
Black, White, Queechy and Paw- 
let rivers. There is some fine land 
in this county along Otter Creek, 
but a large portion of it is elevated, 
and some parts mountainous. The 
soil, however, is generally warm 
and well suited for grazing. Ma- 
ny cattle are annually taken to 
market, and in 1837, there were 
180,984 sheep in Rutland county. 
Excellent iron ore is found at the 
base of the mountains, and a range 
of marble quarries extends thewhole 
iengtii of the county from north to 
south. This marble is of a fine 
quality : much of it is wrought and 
transported. 

Rutland, Vt. 

Chief town, Rutland co. This 
town was settled about the year 
1770, and for some time during the 
revolutionary war was a frontier 
town. The Green mountain hoys 
erected here two small picket forts, 
which were found very useful. The 
soil of the town is various, but gen- 
erally of an excellent q\iality. Iron 
ore of a good quality is found ; clay, 
lime, and a great abundance of beau- 
tifully variegated marble. 

The village of Rutland is neat, 
well built and handsomely located: 
it is the centre of trade for a large 
section of fertile country. The ag- 
ricultural productions of Rutland 
are large and valuable : — in 1S37, 
there were within its limits 20,981 
sheep. Otter Creek and its tribu- 
taries give the town a good water 
power, and manufacturing estab- 
lishments are springing up along 
their banks. Rutland lies 50 miles 
S. W. from iMontpelier, 52 N. by 
E. from Bennington, 60 S. S. E. 
from Hurlingtou, and 34 W. N. W. 
from Windsor. Population, 1830, 
2,753. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



Rutland, Mass* 

Worcester co. Rutland was for- 
merly twelve miles square, and was 
sold by the Indians, in 1686, for 
£23 lawful money. It was first 
settled about the year 1720, and 
incorporated, in 1722. It lies 51 
miles W. by N. from Boston and 
12 N. W. from Worcester. A branch 
of Ware river waters (he town, and 
gives it mill privileges. The man- 
ufactures consist of woolen goods, 
leather, boots, shoes, chairs, cabi- 
net and wooden wares ; annual val- 
ue about $50,000. Rutland is a 
very pleasant town, of good soil and 
well cultivated. Its exports of 
beef, butter and cheese are consid- 
erable. It contains some tine fish 
ponds. Population, 1837, 1,265. 

Rye, N. H., 

Rockingham co., is pleasantlj* sit- 
uated on the sea coast, 6 1-2 miles 
S. from Portsmouth. It was orig- 
inally taken from Portsmouth, 
Greenland, Hampton and New 
Castle,chiefly the latter; and though 
it began to be settled as early as the 
year 1635, it was not incorporated 
till 1719. The sea coast here is about 
6 miles in extent, being nearly one 
third of the coast in the state. On 
the shore, there are three consider- 
able and very pleasant beaches, viz. 
Sandy, Jenness' and Wallis', to 
which many persons resort in tlie 
summer season from neighboring 
towns and the country, both for 
health and for pleasure. There is 
here a small harbor, near Goss' mill, 
into which vessels of 70 or SO tons 
burden may conveniently enter, at 
high water. The boat fisherj' is 
carried on to considei-able advan- 
tage, particularly in the fall and 
winter seasons. There was former- 
ly a large fresh water pond, lying 
contiguous to the sand bank or 
bounds of tlie sea, covering a sur- 
face of about 300 acres. I3etwcen 
this and the sea, a communication 
was opened by the inhabitants about 



a century since. The waters were 
discharged into the sea, leaving a 
tract of marsh, which, being wa- 
tered by the regular flowing of the 
tide, yields annually large quanti- 
ties of salt hay. Breakfast Hill, 
between this town and Greenland, 
is distinguished as the place where 
a party of Indians were surprised 
at breakfast, at the time of their in- 
cursion in 1696. There are small 
circular holes in the rocks of which 
this hill is principally composed, 
supposed to have been made use of 
by the natives. This town has suf- 
fered considerably in times of war 
and danger. In the American or 
revolutionary war, 38 of its inhabi- 
tants lost their lives, by sea oi- land ; 
most of them young men. Popu- 
lation, in 1830, 1,172. 

Ryegate, Vt. 

Caledonia co. This town is situ- 
ated on the west bank of Connec- 
ticut river, opposite to Ikith, N. H. 
It is 33 miles E. by S. from Mont- 
pelier, and 14 S. by E. from Dan- 
ville. Ryegate is watered by Wells 
river, some smaller streams and sev- 
eral ponds. There is not much in- 
tervale land on the river, in the 
town, but the soil is generally rich 
and very productive of all kinds of 
vegetables and grain ; but more par- 
ticularly of grass. About 3,000 sheep 
are kept, and the products of the 
soil, annually transported to market, 
are very considerable. This town 
was first settled by emigrants from 
Scotland, in the year 1774. A large 
part of the present population of 
Ryegate are of Scotch descent, and 
are said to follow, in a great degree, 
the peculiar habits, in regard to di- 
et, which Scotchmen are accustom- 
ed to in their own country. They 
annually prepare large quantities 
of oat meal for cakes, and lay in a 
good stock of hulled barley for 
liroths, soups and puddings. The 
people of Ryegate are generally 
frugal and industi'ious ; good farmers, 
and good livers. They manufac- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



ture their own apparel and some for 
their neighbors. Population, 1830, 
1,119. 

Saclicni's Head, Ct. 

See Guilford. 

I^aco River, 

Is one of the largest in New 
England ; yet being much broken 
in its course by falls, is not naviga- 
ble to any considoi-able extent. It 
springs from three sources in the 
White mountains; the branch is- 
suing from the southwest side of 
the mountains, near the Notch, is 
considered the main stream; next 
to this is the middle branch, which 
is the smallest ; and beyond is the 
branch called Ellis's river, which 
rises on the northeast side of the 
mountains, and after a course of 
about eighteen miles, unites with 
the main branch in the town of 
Bartlett. Cutler's and New rivers 
are mountain tori'ents that discharge 
into the Ellis. The Ammonoosuck, 
a branch of the Connecticut, rises 
within about two rods of the Saco, 
flowing in an opposite direction. 
The whole length of Saco river is 
estimated to be 160 miles; running 
in its general course S. S. E., and 
discharging into the sea in N. lati- 
tude 43° 31', W. longitude 70° 26'. 
The principal falls are, the Great 
Falls, at Hiram, where the water 
descends 72 feet; Steep Falls, at 
Limington, 20 feet ; Salmon Falls, 
at Mollis and Buxton, 30 feet ; and 
Saco Falls, 42 feet. The latter are 
about 4 miles from the mouth of 
the river. The ordinary rise of 
the water, in the spring, is from 
10 to 15 feet, but in great freshets 
it has been known greatly to ex- 
ceed that number. A long storm 
which occurred in Octobei-, 17S5, 
raised the liver to an immense 
height, sweeping away mills and 
bridges, and inundating houses that 
stood in its vicinity. In 1S14, there 
was the greatest freshet known 
since that of 1785. At such .'ea- 

31 



sons the appearance of Saco Falls 
is truly sublime. 

Saco, Me. 

York CO. Saco is situated on the 
east side of the river of that nanR-. 
It is 71 miles S. S. W. from Au- 
gusta, l.*) S. W. from Portland, and 
29N.E. from York. 

Saco is a port of entry, a place of 
some ship bnilding, and commands 
a flourishing trade. Population, 
1830, 3,219; 1837, 4,229. 

Saco enjoys the rare privilege of 
possessing a great hydraulic pow- 
er united with navigable accommo- 
dations. The Saco river teiniin- 
ates its fantastic course at this place, 
by leaping, within a short distance, 
42 feet, and mingling with the 
ocean. This water power is very 
valuable, and cannot fail of becom- 
ing the site of large manufactuiing 
operations. 

J'rom the mouth of the river a 
flne beach extends to the east about 
5 miles, called Old Orchaid beach. 
This name arose from a growth of 
apple trees formerly near the beach , 
planted at a very early period ; 
some of them remained as late as 
1770. Another beach of less e.\- 
tent, but not infeiior in other re- 
spects, is found at the Pool, con- 
necting Fletcher's Neck with the 
main, and forming the south shore 
of that peninsula. Its distance 
from the Falls is about 9 miles. 

The small streams by which dif- 
ferent parts of Saco are watered, 
generally derive their oiigin from 
an immense bog, commonly called 
the Heath, and flow into the liver 
and sea. On one of these, Fox- 
well's brook, there is a line water- 
fall, with a descent of about sixty 
feet, surrounded by scenery of a 
W'ild and striking character. 

The lumber ti-ade has long been 
the principal branch of business on 
Saco rivei-. In early times, thci 
mills were supjilii d with logs from 
the forests in the vicinity of the 
Falls: in the former part of the last 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



century, they were procured at the 
distance of a few miles above the 
mills. In the winter of 1772, it is 
said, a few persons for the first time 
ascended the river as far as Frye- 
burg, in quest of timber, and find- 
ing an abundance, turned the at- 
tention of millmen to that region 
for their future supplies. After 
the war the number of mills was 
increased. Before the year ISOO, 
seventeen saws were in operation 
about the Falls. Theie were oth- 
ers on the small streams in different 
parts of Saco and Biddeford. The 
quantity of boards sawed per day, 
(24 hours) has been estimated at 
fifty thousand feet. 

There is considerable navigation 
owned at Saco, employed in foreign 
and domestic commerce and the 
fishery. The tonnage of the dis- 
trict, in 1S37, was 3,666 tons. 

There are at present a large cot- 
ton mill, a rolling mill, a nail facto- 
ry, and numerous saw mills; but a 
great portion of the water power 
remains unimproved. 

The village of Saco contains ma- 
ny handsome buildings, and the 
scenery around it is romantic and 
beautiful. 

Saco and Biddeford were former- 
ly united. The former was first 
settled in 1631, the latter in 1630. 

We make a few extracts from Mj-. 
Folsom's valuable histoiy of those 
towns, as they contain some inter- 
esting information in relation to the 
first settlement of this part of New 
England. 

" The unfortunate termination of 
Sir Walter Raleigh's attempts to 
colonize Virginia during the reign 
of Queen Elizabeth, had effectual- 
Ij' checked the spirit of enterprise 
in England in relation to the settle- 
ment of America. The discove- 
ries of Gosnold and Pring, and the 
shortness of their voyages, now 
caused the subject to be revived, 
and to excite more general interest 
than had before existed. On the 



petition of a number of gentlemen, 
a charter was grantea by king 
James in the year 1606, dividing 
the country into two districts, call- 
ed North and South Virginia, and 
authorizing the establishment of 
separate colonies in each district by 
two distinct companies. A right of 
property in the land fifty miles on 
each side of their first plantations, 
and extending 100 miles into the in- 
terior, was granted by this patent. 
The first or Southern colony were 
allowed to settle any part of the 
country within the degrees of 34 
and 41 north latitude; the second, 
consisting chiefly of persons resi- 
dent at Plymouth and other towns 
in the west of England, and thence 
denominated the Plymouth Com- 
pany, were allowed to choose a 
place of settlement between 38 and 
45 degrees north latitude. As a 
considerable portion of the territo- 
ry thus allotted was common to the 
two districts, a provision was added, 
that the colony last planted should 
not approach within one hundred 
miles of that already established. 

" The next year colonies were 
sent out by the two companies. 
One was fixed at Jamestown, of 
which Gosnold ' was the prime 
mover,' and Capt. Smith an active 
member ; the other was established 
at Sagadahock, or the mouth of the 
Kennebec, led by Captains George 
Popham, brother to the Chief Jus- 
tice, and Raleigh Gilbert. This 
colony consisted of 108 men; — 
whether accompanied by their fam- 
ilies, we are not informed. They 
arrived on the coast near the island 
of Monheagan, a few leagues east 
of the Kennebec, in tlie month of 
August, and soon after entered the 
mouth of that river, where, on the 
eastern side, on an island now form- 
ing a part of Georgetown, they 
commenced preparations for a per- 
manent settlement without delay. 
Monheagan was agreed upon as a 
place of rendezvous for the ships 
before leaving England, and al- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



though we are not directly told that 
the destination of the colony was 
determined before their arrival, 
there is no doubt of the fact. The 
great patron of the enterprise. Chief 
Justice Popham, obtained an accu- 
rate survey of the coast the year 
before, and doubtless selected the 
mouth of that" fair and navi2;able 
river," as the Kennebec is styled 
by Smith, as a favorable location for 
the seat of the colonj'. 

" The lateness of the season 
scarcely allowed the colonists time 
to erect a fort and the necessary 
places of slielter before the ap- 
proach of winter, which proved 
excessively rigorous. More than 
half their number returned with 
the ships to England in December, 
in consequence of the severity of 
the cold and the scantiness of their 
supplies. Soon after those who 
had remained had the misfortune to 
lose the greater part of their build- 
ings and stores by hre. Capt. Pop- 
ham died in the course of the win- 
ter, and an arrival in the spring 
brought news of the death of the 
Chief Justice. Raleigh Gilbert, 
who succeeded Popham as presi- 
dent of the Colony, was under the 
necessity of returning to England 
on account of the decease of his 
brother, of vvhicli intelligence was 
received by another arrival, and 
the colonists, discouraged by so ma- 
ny adverse circumstances, resolved 
to abandon the country and return 
■with him. Thus in less than one 
year from the time the settlement 
■was commenced, the northern col- 
ony was broken up ; the country 
was denounced as uninhabitable, 
and no further attempts were made 
for many years to promote its set- 
tlement by the Company to whom 
it was assigned by the patent of 
King James. 

" Sir Ferdinando Gorges, a con- 
spicuous member of the Plymouth 
Company, alone remained undis- 
couraged. The attention of this 
gentleman appears to have been 



first turned to this part of America 
in the year 1605, when Capt. Wey- 
mouth arrived in the harbor of 
Plymouth where he resided, on his 
return from a voyage for the dis- 
covery of the northwest passage. 
Falling short of his course, Wey- 
mouth had accidently discovered 
the river Penobscot, from whence 
he carried to England five of the 
natives, " three of whom," says 
Gorges, " I seized upon ; they were 
all of one nation, but of several 
parts and several families. This 
accident must be acknowledged the 
means under God of putting on foot 
and giving life to all our planta- 
tions." He retained these In- 
dians in his family three years, and 
obtained from them much informa- 
tion respecting their native shores : 
they were afterwards sent back. 
Gorges henceforth took a deep in- 
terest in schemes for the settlement 
of North Virginia, and was rather 
chagrined than discouraged by the 
return of the Sagadahock colonists, 
and the unfavorable reports which 
they spread concerning the coun- 
try. " He had too much experi- 
ence in the world," he said, " to be 
frighted with such a blast, as know- 
ing many great kingdoms and large 
territories more northerly seated 
and by many degrees colder, were 
plentifully inhabited, and divers of 
them stored with no better com- 
modities than these afforded, if like 
industry, art and labor be used." 
Unable, however, to persuade the 
company to undertake the planting 
of a second colony. Gorges engaged 
in private enterprises to this coast, 
which began to be much resorted to 
by English ships for purposes of 
trade with the natives, and of fish- 
ing. In the year 1616, he sent 
hither a party commanded by Rich- 
ard Vines, for the express object of 
exploring the country with a view 
to form a settlement. He con- 
tracted with them to remain during 
the winter, with the hope of remov- 
ing the prejudice excited by the 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



Sagadahock colonists against the 
character of the climate. 

" They arrived during the prev- 
alence of a destructive disease 
among the natives, which spread 
throughout New England, com- 
mencing its ravages in the west. 
This pestilence is noticed by all the 
writers on the early history of New 
England, with some difference of 
opinion as to the precise year of its 
occurrence. A late and highly re- 
spectable writer supposes it to have 
prevailed in different places at dif- 
ferent times, but a few years pre- 
vious to the arrival of the Plj'mouth 
pilgrims. It was regarded by those 
pious colonists as a special interpo- 
sition of divine providence in their 
favor, so great was the havoc it 
made among the tribes in that quar- 
ter. 'Thus,' says old Morton, 'God 
made way for his people by remov- 
ing the heathen and planting them 
in the land.' 

" Mr. Vines and his companions 
penetiated into the interior, visiting 
the Indians in their villages and 
wigwams, who received them with 
great kindness and hospitality. Be- 
side the i-avages of sickness, they 
were at this time thrown into con- 
fusion by the death of the Bashaba 
or chief sachem, whom the Tari-an- 
tincs, living east of the Penobscot, 
had attacked by surprise and de- 
stroyed with his family the preced- 
ing year. Great dissensions had 
immediately followed among the 
different tribes, who were engaged 
in a destructive war with each oth- 
er when the pestilence made its ap- 
pearance. In the midst of these 
evils, the Englishmen passed with 
safety among them, and slept in 
their cabins without suffering fi-om 
the contagion. They were in par- 
ticular welcomed by the savages 
whom they had seen in the family 
of Gorges at Plymouth, and now 
met in their native homes. Having 
visited different parts of the coast, 
this little party prepared to estab- 
lish themselves for the winter. 



The spot which they selected for 
their abode, we have reason to sup- 
pose, was at the mouth of Saco riv- 
er, on the western side, near the 
capacious and sheltered basin now 
called the Pool, but in early times 
known as Winter harbor. 

" Vines performed several voyages 
to our coast in the service of Gorges, 
and it is probable made Winter Har- 
bor his principal resort. While he 
was occupied in exploring the 
country and trading with the na- 
tives, his men were engaged in 
fishing. How long he pursued this 
course, we are not informed, nor do 
we find him mentioned again until 
several years after his early resi- 
dence at Winter Harbor. 

" The employments of the colo- 
nists were chiefly agriculture, fish- 
ing, and trade with the natives. 
Most of them combined these pur- 
suits, and were styled husbandmen 
or planters. 

" The husbandmen took up tracts 
of 100 acres, of which they receiv- 
ed leases on nominal or small rents, 
from Mr. Vines. Some of these 
are now on record. An estate that 
had been in the possession of Thom- 
as Cole, including 'a mansion or 
dwellinghouse,' was leased by Mr. 
Vines to John West for the term of 
1000 years, for the annual rent of 
two shillings and one capon, a pre- 
vious consideration having been 
paid by West. The lease which is 
pai'tly in the latin language, was 
executed, 163S. Another deed from 
Vines requires the lessee to yield 
and pay an acknowledgement and 
rent-charge of 5s., two days work, 
and one fat goose yearly. In this 
manner were all the planters ren- 
dered tenants to the proprietor, 
none of them holding their estates 
in fee simple. 

Fishing was the most common 
occupation, as it was both easy and 
profitable to barter the products of 
this business tor corn from Virginia, 
and other stores fiom England. 
The trade with the planters of Mas- 



NEW ExNGLAND GAZETTEER. 



sachupctts soon became considera- 
ble. In 1636, Mr. Vines had a 
consij^nineiit of bread and beef from 
that quarter. Jocelyn remarks that 
'Winter Harbor is a noted place for 
fishers.' He describes tlie mode of 
pursuing this business in the follow- 
ing manner: 'Tiie fislieiiiien take 
yearly on the coast many hundred 
quintals of cod, hake, haddock, pol- 
lock, &c. and dry them at their 
stages, making three voyages in a 
year. They make merchantable 
and refuse fish, which they sell to 
Massachusetts mercliants ; the lirst 
for 32 ryals ('$i) per quintal ; the 
refuse for 9 and 10 shillings ($2, 
and 2,25.) Tlie mercliant sends 
tlie first to Lisbon, Bilboa, Mar- 
seilles, Bordeaux, Toulon, and other 
cities of France ; to Canaries, pipe- 
staves and clapboards; the refuse 
fish to the W. Indies for the ne- 
groes. To every shallop belong 
four fishermen, a master or steers- 
man, a midshipman, and a shore 
man, who washes it out of the salt, 
and dries it upon hurdles pitched 
upon stakes breast high, and tends 
their cookery. They often get in 
one voyage 8 or 9 bari'els a share 
per man. The merchant buys of 
the planters beef, pork, peas, wheat, 
Indian corn, and sells it to the fish- 
ermen.' 

" The expense of each planter to 
provision himself was quite small, 
if we may judge from an estimate 
furnished by Mr. Jocelyn for the 
information of proposed emigrants. 
A similar estimate had been previ- 
ously made by Capt. .Smith wilh 
reference to Virginia. ' Victuals to 
last one man a year; 8 bushels of 
meal, £2: two bushels of peas, 6 
shillings : two bushels of oatmeal, 
9 shillings : one gallon of aqua vita;, 
(brandy,) 2s. (id.: one gallon of oil, 
3s. Gd. : two gallons of vinegar, 
2s.:' total, £3 3s., equal to $14. 
" A considerable traffic was car- 
ried on with the natives by many 
of the planters, some of them visi- 
ting remote parts of the coast, or 



travelling into the interior for this 
purpose. English and French 
goods were bartered for valuable 
furs, particularly beaver." 

Saddle Mountain, Mass. 

See Adams. 

Saddleback Mountain, Me. 

Franklin co. This mountain is a 
few miles south of Mount Abraham. 
It is 2.3 miles N. W. from Farming- 
ton, and ajjout 4,000 feet above the 
level of the sea. 

Sagadaliocic, Me. 

The ancient name of a section of 
country, at and east of the mouth of 
Kennebec river. .See Saco. 

St. Albans, Mc. 

Somerset co. This is a valuable 
township of land, 46 miles N. N. 
E. from Augusta, and 26 N. E. by 
E. from Norridgewock. Incorpora- 
ted, 1S13. Population, 18.30, 911 ; 
1837, 1,393. This town contains a 
large and beautiful pond ; the out- 
let of which forms a good mill 
stream, a branch of Sebasticook 
river. There are two pleasant and 
flourishing villages in St. Albans. 
Wheat crop, 1837, 10,294 bushels. 

St. Albans, Vt. 

Shire town of Franklin co. This 
town is bounded on the west by 
Champlain lake. It lies 46 miles 
N. W. by N. from Montpelicr, and 
2.5 N. from Burlington. First set- 
tled about the year 1785. Popula- 
tion 1830, 2,395. The soil of this 
town is fertile, and under the man- 
agement of good farmers, is render- 
ed very productive. In 1837, there 
were 8,459 sheep in the town, and 
the exports of wool and other pro- 
ductions of the soil arc large and 
valuable. The water communica- 
tions by the lake to New- York and 
Canada, render St. Albans a mart 
of considerable trade from the sur- 
rounding country. The first ves- 
sel from Lake Champlain, that ar- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



rived at New York, by the north- 
ern canal, was from, built and own- 
ed at St. Albans. 

The Village of St. Albans is 
beautifully situated on elevated 
ground, and commands a fine pros- 
pect. It contains many handsome 
buildings, and is a busy place in the 
manufacture of various articles. It 
lies three miles from the lake, and 
twelve miles from the line of Can- 
ada. 

St. Croii River. 

This river forms the boundary 
line between the United States and 
the British Province of New Bruns- 
wick, from the ocean to Grand 
Lake. It is sometimes called Pas- 
samaquoddjf, Schoodic and Clie- 
putnetecook. This river rises in 
Grand Lake and passes to the 
ocean in a S. E. course. The dis- 
tances on this important river are 
as follows : from Eastport to Ca- 
lais, at the head of navigation, is 28 
miles : from Calais to the mouth of 
Schoodic river, 21 miles, and from 
thence to Grand Lake is 33 miles : 
total distance from Eastport to 
Grand Lake, 82 miles. There are 
many elevations in this river, and 
consequently many falls and rapids, 
producing a great hydraulic power. 
The mouth of the western branch of 
the St. Croix, or Schoodic river, is 
166 feet above tide water, at Calais ; 
and the whole fall from Grand Lake 
to sea level is 444 feet. 

St> Francois River, Me. 

Or the Pecheenegamook, rises in 
the county of Piscataquis, on the 
border of Canada. It has a number 
of tributaries and receives the wa- 
ters of several lakes. It is about 
50 miles in length, and, passing 
nearly south falls into the river St. 
John, on the line of Penobscot 
county. 

St. George, Me. 

Lincoln co. This township is 
nearly surrounded by water. It is 



bounded northerly by a neck of 
land adjoining Thomaston, E. by 
the western waters of Penobscot 
bay, S. by the Atlantic, and W. by 
the waters of Muscongus bay and 
St. George's river. This town pos- 
sesses, in an eminent degree, every 
navigable facility. It is a place of 
considerable ship building, and the 
people are engaged in the lumber 
trade, coasting and fishing. There 
are a number of islands on the coast 
of this town : a cluster of islands 
called St. Georges, are the most 
considerable. They lie off the 
town S. by W. about 5 miles. St. 
George was incorporated in 1803. 
Population, 1837, 1,883. It lies 57 
miles S. E. from Augusta, and 10 
S. from Warren. 

St. George River is a valuable 
stream, both on account of its hy- 
draulic power and navigable ac- 
commodations. It receives its most 
distant waters from ponds in IMont- 
ville, Searsmont and Belmont in 
the county of Waldo, and, in a 
southerly course, passes to Union, 
where it receives the waters of 
several ponds, and meets the tide at 
Warren. The length of this river 
is about 40 nules : it is navigable to 
Warren, 15 miles from the sea. 

St. George, Vt. 

Chittenden co. A small town 
bounded W. by Shelburne, 28 miles 
W. by N. from Montpelier, and 8 
S. E. from Burlington. First set- 
tled, 1784. Population, 1830, 135. 
The surface is high and uneven: 
the soil is composed of loam, clay 
and gravel. 

St. JoHii's River. 

See Fiindy, Bay. 

St. Jolmsljury, Vt. 

Caledonia co. This pleasant and 
flourishing town is 35 miles N. E. 
from Montpelier, 57 N. from Han- 
over, N. H., and 7 E. from Danville. 
The town was organized in 1790. 
Population, 1830, 1,592 ; 1838, about 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



2.000. The surface is uneven, but 
the soil is generally strong and fer- 
tile. In 1S37, there were 4,546 sheep 
in the town. 

The amount of available water 
power in St. Johnsbury is great and 
valuable, indicating its future im- 
portance as a site for large manu- 
factories. The Passumpsic river, a 
considerable stream, which falls into 
Connecticut river at the foot of Fif- 
teen Mile Falls, passes through the 
central part of the town from north 
to south. Jtloose and Sleeper's riv- 
ers unite with the Passumpsic and 
afford a succession of excellent mill 
seats seldom seen so closely com- 
bined. 

On Sleeper's river is the estab- 
lishment of E. and S. Fairbanks, for 
the manufacture of their improved 
platform balances, on an extensive 
scale ; also iron works of various 
kinds, on the other streams. 

There are thiee handsome villa- 
ges in the town: that called the 
Plain, is on elevated ground and 
near the junction of the streams. 
This town commands the trade of a 
considerable portion of country, and 
these villages, which are neatly 
built, enjoy an active business. 

Salem, Me. 

Somerset co. This town is wa- 
tered by a branch of Seven Mile 
Brook, and lies 52 miles N. N. W. 
from Augusta, and 2S N. W. from 
Norridgewock. Incorporated, 1823. 
Population, 1837, 496. This is a 
good farming town ; it produced in 
1837, 4,216 bushels of wheat. 

Salem, N. H., 

Rockingham co., is 30 miles S. 
from Concord, and 40 S. W. from 
Portsmouth. Policy pond, partly in 
this town, and partly in Windham, is 
the largest collection of water: 
World's end pond and Captain pond 
are in the S. E. and E. parts of^ the 
town ; and there are other small 
ponds. The Spiggot river, passing 
from N. to S. through the town, re- 



ceives in its course numerous 
branches, and waters the different 
portions of the town, furnishing also 
excellent mill privileges. The soil 
is generally fertile, and the surface 
uneven. Salem was incorporated 
by charter, May II, 1750. Popula- 
tion, in IS30, 1,310. 

Salem, Vt. 

Orleans co. This is a township 
of level surface, and tolerable soil ; 
50 miles N. N. E. from Montpelier 
and lON.E. from Irasburgh. First 
settled, 1798. Population, 1830, 
230. Clyde river passes through 
the N. E. part of the town and apart 
of the south bay of Memphrema- 
gog lake lies in the N. W. corner. 

Salem, Mass., 

One of the shire towns in Essex 
CO. This is the oldest and largest 
seaport but one in old Massachu- 
setts. Its Indian name was Aa- 
umkeag. It is 14 miles N. N. E. 
from Boston, and lies in lat. 42° 31' 
19" N., and Ion. 70° 54' W. Popu- 
lation, 1836, 15,002. Salem is near- 
ly surrounded by water, being sit- 
uated between two inlets of the sea, 
called the north and south livers. 
To the main, and now inhabited part 
of the town, is attached a peninsular 
portion of land, called the Neck. 
This was the first inhabited land, 
and was formerly used for fishing 
and other purposes. It ultimately 
became the property of the town, 
and was, for a long time, used as a 
public pasture. In 1816, when the 
present Alms House was built, a 
large portion of it was enclosed, and 
has since been cultivated as the 
Alms House farm. The finest and 
most comprehensive view of Sa- 
lem may be had from " Gallows 
Hill." Its situation is low, hut 
pleasant and healthy. Its streets 
are quite irregular. Essex is the 
only street which runs through the 
town and is very angular and crook- 
ed. Federal and Bridge streets are 
broad, straight and regular. Ches- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



nut is esteemed the handsomest, 
though it is not the most public 
street. It has rows of elms on ei- 
ther side. Winter and Broad streets 
are the widest. The first pavement 
was made in Essex street, between 
Court and North streets, in 1773, 
and is still in use. The south church 
has great architectural beauty, and 
the north church is built of stone, 
■with a beautiful front of the gothic 
order. There is a Custom House 
iit the head of Derby wharf. Say 
iem has always been a commercial 
place. It has a convenient harbor 
and good anchorage. In point of 
v/ealth and commerce, it has al- 
ways ranked as the second town in 
New England. 

Its history is identified with that 
of Massachusetts, and there is much 
in it to interest and instruct. Its 
rank, the character and number of 
its population, its facilities for com- 
merce, and the advantage of being 
the chosen residence of many of 
the first and most distinguished set- 
tlers, made it early and seriously 
thought of as the Capital, instead 
of Boston. It was first settled in 
1626, by Roger Conant, Peter Pal- 
fray and others, who had failed in 
an attempt to plant themselves at 
Cape Ann. In 1628, a cession of 
Massachusetts was made to Sir 
Henry Roswell and others, with a 
view to establish a colony there. 
Of this company, Matthew Cradock 
was President, and in 1628, John 
Endicott was sent over to reside at 
Salem as the company's agent. In 
the same year, the first church was 
formed. It has ever been remark- 
able for its succession of eminent, 
independent and useful Divines; 
among whom, are the Higginsons, 
Skelton, Roger Williams, Hugh Pe- 
ters, Noyes, Fiske, Dr. Prince, &c. 
In 16-34, tho first general court met 
at Newton. Roger Conant was 
one of the first deputies from Salem. 

In 1643, Massachusetts was divi- 
ded into 4 counties; Essex, Mid- 
dlesex, Suffolk and Norfolk. In 



1644, there was a strong party to 
make Salem the seat of government^ 
but in this attempt, the deputies 
were defeated. 

In 1675, Capt. Thomas Lathrop 
and his company were killed by the 
Indians, at Bloody Brook. He, with 
Roger Conant, had removed from 
Salem to Beverly, in 1668. His 
company were called the " Flower 
of Essex," and many of them were 
from Salem. 

In 1681, Major William Haw- 
thorne died. He was a leading and 
influential character in his time, 
having been speaker, assistant, 
judge, commissioner of the united 
colonies, &c., and having ever 
showed himself able, faithful, and 
worthy of confidence. 

In 1687, William Brown gave a 
farm for the benefit of the schools 
of Salem. The Brown family were 
ever gi-eat friends and liberal pat- 
rons of learning. They not only 
made donations to the Salem schools, 
but also to Harvard College for the 
benefit of poor scholars. 

In 1692, the witchcraft delusion 
prevailed in Salem, and nineteen 
persons were tried and hanged as 
witches. Though designated " the 
Salem witchcraft," it had pervaded 
other places, previously to its ap- 
pearance here. In England, laws 
had been enacted against it, and Sir 
Matthew Hale, gave to those laws 
his sanction. In 164S, Margaret 
Jones was condemned and hanged 
at Charlestown, and in 1655, Ann 
Hibbins, at Boston. The imputa- 
tion for a time induced a belief of 
the reality of the imposition ; but 
time finally detected and exposed 
the error. The house, in which 
the accused were tried, is still stand- 
ing at the western corner of Essex 
and North streets, and the place of 
their execution is now known as 
" Gallows Hill." A fiill and inter- 
esting account of this delusion of 
the imagination has been written 
and published by Rev. C. W. Up- 
ham. 



I 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



In 1698, a great fire broke out, 
and destroyed several dwelling 
houses. In 171S, tlie second or 
east church was built and is still 
standing. The celebrated Dr. Bent- 
ley was pastor of this church. He 
wrote a " Description of Salem," 
which is published in the " Collec- 
tions of the Mass. Hist. Society." 

In 1774, General Gage ordered 
the removal of the general court to 
Salem. At that time, Boston was a 
closed port. The merchants and 
citizens of Salem called a town 
meeting, at which, resolutions de- 
nouncing, in very strong terms, the 
Boston port bill, were passed unani- 
mously. The meeting was very 
full, and a copy of their doings was 
communicated to their neighbors of 
Boston. On the 11th of June, when 
Gov. Gage was at Salem, an address, 
numerously signed, was presented 
to him, which reflects high honor 
on the sense of justice and patriot- 
ism of this ancient town. Among 
other things it said, " By shutting 
up the port of Boston, some imag- 
ine that the course of trade might 
be turned hither and to our benefit ; 
but nature in the formation of our 
harbor forbids our becoming rivals 
in commerce to that convenient 
mart. And were it otherwise, we 
must be dead to every idea of jus- 
tice — lost to all feelings of humani- 
ty — could we indulge one thought 
to seize on wealth and raise our for- 
tunes on the ruin of our suffering 
neighbors." 

In 1776, Feb. 26, Col. Leslie, 
with a British regiment from Bos- 
ton Castle, landed privately at Sa- 
lem and proceeded to the North 
bridge, with a view to seize on some 
military stores beyond it. The cit- 
izens were, at the time, in meeting ; 
but Col. Timothy Pickering, with 
30 or 40 men, got there in season to 
raise the draw, and thus prevent 
Leslie and his regiment from pass- 
ing further. The British attempted 
to cross the river in a gondola, 
but the Americans scuttled the 



boat. Finally, Col. Leslie proposed 
that if he should be perniiticd to 
pass 30 rods beyond the bridge, he 
would return. Having been per- 
mitted, the gallant colonel returned 
peaceably to Boston. 

During the revolution, there 
were about 60 armed vessels fitted 
out from Salem, manned by 4,000 
men ; and many unrecorded deeds 
of high daring and chivalrous adven- 
ture were performed on the sea by 
citizens of Salem, duiing that event- 
ful period. Indeed, in her naval 
achievements consists principally 
the part which Salem bore in the 
revolutionary struggle. 

This seaport has been more known 
for its East India trade than any 
other in the United States. The 
first ship from Salem engaged in 
this trade was the Grand Turk, 
owned by E. H. Derby. She was 
at the Cape of Good Hope in 1784, 
commanded by Capt. Jonathan In- 
gersoll, and at Canton in 17S6, com- 
manded by Ebenezer West. A 
model of her, completely rigged, is 
in the Museum. In 1818, there 
were 53 vessels employed in this 
trade belonging to Salem, the ton- 
nage of which was 14,272 tons. 

Salem became a city in 1836. Its 
government consists of a mayor and 
six aldermen, and twenty-four com- 
mon council men. Its public schools 
are nineteen. The number of schol- 
ars in 1837, was 1,534, and the 
amount paid for instruction $8,877. 

The Athenceum was incorporated 
in 1810. Edward A. Holyoke, 
William Orne, Nathaniel Silsbee 
and Samuel Putnam were authoris- 
ed to call the first meeting of the 
proprietors. The stock is divided 
into 90 or 100 shares. Its library 
contains al)out 9,000 volumes. The 
institution, though at present rather 
private, may ultimately become 
more public. 

The Museum is remarkable for the 
extent and variety of its natural and 
artificial curiosities, collected from 
almost every part of the world. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



There are 4,724 names of tlifTerent 
articles on the catalogue : they are 
kept in a spacious hall built for that 
purpose, and belong to the East In- 
dia Marine society. This society 
consists of such only as have actu- 
ally navigated the seas near the 
Cape of Good Hope or Cape Horn, 
as master or factor. In 1823, there 
were 160 of these enterprising men 
living in Salem. The hall is open 
daily for the reception of visitor-'-,and 
vast numbers of strangers throng 
there. All come with an eager and 
excited curiosity, and leave wiih 
that curiosity at least gratified, if 
not satisfied. 

The commerce of Salem is very 
extended. There is hardly any part 
of the world which her ships have 
not visited. The number of ves- 
sels, engaged in foreign commerce, 
is 100 or more, and 18 in the whal- 
ing business, beside the vessels em- 
ployed in the coasting trade and fish- 
ery. Tonnage of the district in 
1S37, 32,800 tons. 

Many of the wharves bear the 
names of their builders and owners : 
as the Allen, Derby, Peabody, For- 
ester and Phillips' wharf. This last 
was recently re-built by Stephen 
C. Phillips, on the ruins of the old 
Crowninshield wharf, which had 
become dilapidated and useless. It 
is an admirable piece of work. 

Although Salem is without any 
important water power, and has ev- 
er been almost exclusively devoted 
to maritime pursuits, yet its manu- 
facturing interests are by no means 
small. During the year ending- 
April 1, 1837, the value of its man- 
ufactures amounted to $1,471,889. 
They consisted of vessels, cordage, 
leather, boots, shoes, hats, tin and 
cabinet wares, chairs, spirits ; white, 
sheet and pipe lead, carriages, stiaw 
bonnets, sperm candles, tobacco, 
alum, saltpetre refined, aquafortis, 
muriatic acid,oil of vitriol, &c. The 
value of its whale, cod and mack- 
erel fisheries, the same year, 
amounted to $210,843. 



The Jlqueiluct furnishes the city 
with a constant supply of fresh 
and soft spring water. 

The fire department is under good 
regulations. Some of the societies 
in the city are the " East India ]Ma- 
rine society," incorporated in 1801 ; 
the " E. I. M. Hall Corporation," in 
1824; the " Salem Charitable Me- 
chanic Association," instituted in 
1S17, and incorporated, in 1822; the 
" Essex Histoi'ical Society," in 
1821, and the " Salem Lyceum," 
which was formed in 1830. 

Tlie C'umnioii was reserved " as 
a training field for the use of Sa- 
lem," in 1713. It is a beautiful, lev- 
el spot of ground, surrounded by a 
double row of elm and other orna- 
mental trees, and is designed to 
have a gravel walk around it. The 
alms house formerly stood upon it, 
but it is now entirely unencumber- 
ed. 

The City Hall was built in 1837. 
It has a beautiful granite front, and 
is handsomely finished and furnish- 
ed within. 

The Rail-Road from Salem to 
Boston, was opened for travel, Au- 
gust 28, 1838 ; thus making Salem, 
as it were, a part of Boston. The 
first stage between these cities was 
run by Ezra Burrill, in 1782. It 
went to Boston one day and return- 
ed to Salem the next. Now the dis- 
tance can be easily passed over in 
50 minutes ; and at the same time, 
the traveller will ride rapidly 
through a beautiful and picturesque 
countrj'. See Register. 

Among the distinguished men, in 
almost every profession, which Sa- 
lem claims as among its sons, the 
name of Nathaniel Bowditch, 
LL. D.,F. R. S.,authorofthe Prac- 
tical JYavigator, is identified with 
its fame and nautical achievements. 

Dr. Bowditch was born at Salem, 
March 26, 1773. He was taken 
from school at the age of 10 years 
and placed as an apprentice to a 
ship chandler. At the age of 22 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



he went to sea and spent nine years 
in the capacity of captain's clerk, 
supercarjro, and finally as master of 
a ship. In 1S04, he became presi- 
dent of a Marine Insurance Com- 
pany, in Salem, which office he held 
until 1S23, when his superior talents 
called him to liecomo Acuary of the 
Massachusetts Hospital Life Insur- 
ance Company, in Boston; the re- 
sponsible and laborious duties of 
which office he faithfully discharg;- 
ed until his death, I\Iarch 16, 1S33. 
Notwithstanding his limited means 
of education, Dr. Bowditch acquir- 
ed, by his extr;iordinarj' genius and 
economy of time, a perfect knowl- 
edge of all the modern languages, 
and became the most eminent math- 
ematician and astronomer in Amei-- 
ica. The Practical J\''avigator, has 
heen translated into every Europe- 
an lansruage, and its use is co-exten- 
sive with maritime adventures. 

Another work of Dr. Bowditch, 
places his name, as a man of science, 
still higher on the roll of fame. It 
is his translation of the Mecanique 
Celeste of La Place, with an elab- 
orate and copious commentary on 
that work, in four large quarto vol- 
umes. This work was completed 
just before liis death. 

The last hours of such a man as 
Dr. Bowditch, cannot fail to be in- 
teresting, as they mark his cliarac- 
ter through life. A friend of his 
who was present, says, " He did not 
like to see those about him look sad 
and gloomy; and he remarked, on 
one occasion, ' I feel no gloom with- 
in me ; why sliould you wear it in 
your faces.'' On the morning of 
his death, when liis sight was very 
dim and his voice almost gone, he 
called his children to his bed side, 
and, arranging them in the order 
of age, pointed to and addressed 
each by name, ' You see I can dis- 
tinguish you all ; and now I give 
you my parting blessing. The time 
is come. ' Lord, now lettest thou 
thy servant depart in peace, accor- 



ding to thy word ?' These were his 
last words." 

Salem, Ct. 

New London co. This town was 
taken from the towns of Colchester, 
Lyme and Montville ; but the prin- 
cipal part from Colchester, and in- 
corporated in 1819. It comprises 
an area of six by tire miles of fer- 
tile and productive land. The in- 
habitants are generally good farm- 
ers, who live scattered about on 
their farms. Population, 1830, 9.5S. 
Salem is well watered by small 
streams, and is bounded on the N. 
E. by a larae and beautiful pond. 
It lies 29 miles S. E. from Hartfoid, 
and 13 N. W. from New London. 

Salisbury, ST. II., 

Merrimack co., lies 15 miles X. 
from Concord. Black water river 
passes through the W. part of Salis- 
bury. There are 5 bridges across 
this stream in this town. The soil 
of the upland is strong, deep and 
loamy ; the hilly land affords some 
fine tracts of tillage, but chiefly 
abounds in excellent pasturage. On 
Blackwater river, there is some ve- 
ry fertile intervale, which united 
with the adjacent hilly land, com- 
poses several very valuable farms. 
A considerable portion of Kearsarge 
mountain ranges within the bounds 
of Salisbury, the N. W. corner 
bound of which extends nearly to 
the summit. There are two very 
pleasant villages in this town, situ- 
ated on the 4th N. H. turnpike 
about 1 1-2 miles apart. 

Salisbury was incorporated by 
charter from the government of N. 
II., March 1, 1768, when it took 
the name ofSalisbury.lt was settled 
as early as 1750. The first settlers 
were Philip Call, Nathaniel Meloon, 
Benjamin Pettengill, John and Eb- 
enezer Webster, Andrew Bohon- 
non, Edward Eastman, and others. 
The first inhabitants experienced 
the inroads of the Indians. On the 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



16th of May, 1753, Nathaniel Me- 
loon, hving in the \V. part of the 
town, was captured, together witli 
his wife, and three children, viz : 
Sarah, Rachel, and Daniel. They 
were carried to Canada, where he 
and his wife were sold to the French 
in Montreal. The three children 
were kept by the Indians. 
After the parents had resided 
in Montreal about a year and a 
half, they had a son born, who was 
baptized by a French friar by the 
name of Joseph Mary. Mr. Me- 
loon returned from captivity after 
four years and a half, to his farm in 
Salisbury. Sarah died with the In- 
dians. Rachel, who was 9 years 
old when captured, returned aftei- 
9 years. She had become much 
attached to the Indians, was about 
to be married to Peter Louis, son of 
Col. Louis, of Cognawaga. She 
had the habits, and acted like an 
Indian, understood the Indian lan- 
guage and could sing their songs. 
Hon. Ebejvezer Webster was 
one of the early settlers ; a patriot 
of the revolution; an officer of the 
militia ; for several years a senator 
in the legislature, and a judge of 
the court of common pleas till his 
death in 1S06. He was the father 
of the Hon. Ezekiel, and Dan- 
iel Webster, names well known 
throughout the country. Popula- 
tion, in 1830, 1,379. 

SalislJMry, Vt. 

Addison co. The widow of Amos 
Story, with 8 or 10 small children, 
was the first family that made Salis- 
bury a permanent residence. She 
came here in 1775, and endured 
every hardship incident to the life 
of a pioncnr; chopping down tim- 
ber, clearing the land, laboring in 
the field, and sleeping in a cavern. 
Mr. Story, was killed by the falling 
of a tree previous to the removal 
of his family. The proprietors gave 
Mrs. Story 100 acres of land for 
her manly conduct. The soil of 
the town is generally good ; it con- 



tains some rough land, and some 
excellent meadows. It is watered 
by Otter Creek, Middlebury and 
Leicester rivers. The latter river 
affords a good water power, which 
propels a number of valuable manu- 
facturing establishments. Leices- 
ter river is the outlet oi Lake Dun- 
more, a fine sheet of water, about 
four miles in length, and three 
fourths of a mile in width. This 
lake lies in Leicester and Salisbu- 
ry. There is a pleasant and tlour- 
ishing village in the town, and a 
large cavern supposed to have been 
an Indian lodging place. Salisbu- 
ry lies 34 miles S. W. from Mont- 
pelier, and is bounded N. by Mid- 
dlebury. Population, 1830, 907. 

Salisbury, Mass. 

Essex CO. In 1G3S, this town 
was granted, by the name of Mer- 
rimack, to be a plantation, unto Si- 
mon Bradstrect, Daniel Dennison, 
and others. The year following it 
was incorporated by the name of 
Colchester, and in 1640 assumed, by 
direction of the then general court, 
the name of Salisbury. It is seven 
by three miles in extent, and is 
bounded southerly by the river 
Merrimack, westerly by Powow 
river, which divides it from the 
town of Amesbury, noi-therly by 
the New Hampshire line, which 
separates it from the towns of South 
Hampton and Seabrook, and easter- 
ly by the sea. 

In 1G43, the plantation in New 
Hampshire, viz. Hampton, Exeter, 
Portsmouth and Dover, were united 
to Massachusetts, and, together 
with Salisbury and Haverhill, form- 
ed into a new and distinct county, 
called Norfolk, of which Salisbury 
was the shire town, and so contin- 
ued to the year 1679, when New 
Hampshire was again separated and 
formed into a royal government. In 
August, 1737, commissioners, ap- 
pointed by the crown, met at Hamp- 
ton falls, for the purpose of settling 
a controversy, respecting the boun- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



dary line, which had long subsisted 
between the two governments of 
Massachusetts and New Hamp- 
shire. On this occasion the gener- 
al court of New Hampshire con- 
vened at Hampton, and that of 
Massachusetts at Salisburj'. Salis- 
bury is distant from Ncwburyport, 
4 miles, from Haverhill 12, from Ex- 
eter, N. H. 10, and from Portsmouth 
20. Population, in 1S37, 2,675. 

There are two considerable vil- 
lages in Salisbury ; the largest is at 
the westerly part of the town, up- 
on Powow river at the head of tide 
water. The village is divided by 
said river into two pretty equal 
parts, one in Salisbury-, the other 
in Amesbury. In that part of the 
village that lies in Salisbury, are 
two flannel factories, one 200 feet 
long and 50 feet wide, the other 100 
feet by 10 feet. The establishment 
is called, the Salisbury Manufac- 
turing Corporation. Capital ,f 500,- 
000. There is also in this village 
a large tannery, and manufactures 
of cotton goods, shoes, combs, boats, 
wherries and molasses casks. 

The other village is pleasantly 
situated on the bank of the Merri- 
mack, on a point of land foi-med by 
the junction of that river with the 
Powow; and is generally known by 
the distinctive name of TVebster's 
Point. Shipbuilding long has been, 
and still is, a principal branch of 
business in this place ; and its char- 
acter is well established for build- 
ing excellent vessels. There are 
now nine sail of vessels owned in 
this village and employed partlj"- in 
the coasting trade, and partly in the 
cod and mackerel fishery. 

The annual product of the man- 
ufactures of Salisbury, including 
vessels, and of the fishery, is about 
$500,000. 

Salisbury and Amesbury are fine- 
ly located for business; the villages 
are neat and the scenery aiound 
them vciy pleasant. Salisbury 
Beach is noted for its beauty, and 
is much frequented. 

32 



Salisbury, Ct. 

Litchfield co. The Housatonick 
and Salmon rivers give this town a 
great and constant water power. 
The surface of Salisbury is formed 
of lofty elevations and deep val- 
leys ; but the soil is excellent for 
all sorts of grain and pasturage. 
The valleys are generally lime- 
stone, and the hills granite. The 
number of sheep kept here in 1837, 
was 8,999. 

" Salisbury Centre," a pleasant 
village, is 58 miles N. W. from 
New Haven, 50 \V. N. W. from 
Hartford, 22 N. W. from Litchfield, 
and 34 N. \V. by W. from Hudson, 
N. Y. Population, 1S30, 2,580. 
The Indian luune of the town w;;s 
IVeatog. It was first settled by 
the whites in 1720. 

Salisbury has long been celebra- 
ted for its excellent iron ore and 
iron manufactures. The guns on 
board our favorite frigate, " 0!ii 
Iron Sides," used by Truxton in 
the capture of the L'Insurgenie, 
were made at the old furnace in 
Salisbury. 

The "Old Ore Hill," two miles 
west of IVansropommii.r. lake, has 
been worked since the year 17."?2. 
Within the la^t 10 or 15 years, from 
five to six thousand tons of ore have 
been dug annually. The ore is 
sold at the mine for ^3 a ton. One 
dollar and twenty-five cents is paid 
to the proprietor of the mine, and 
the residue to the miner. The first 
furnace in Salisbury was erected in 
1762, at the outlet of Wanscop- 
ommuc, by S. and E. Forbes, Mr. 
Hazeltine, and Ethan Allen, the 
hero of Ticonderoga. A large 
amount of cannon, balls, and bomb- 
shells were manufactured here dur- 
ing the revolutionary war. 

The large and inexliausiible quan- 
tities of iron ore found in Salisbury, 
and the abundant supply of wood 
for charcoal, and other materials 
necessary for smelting the ore, to- 
gether with the superior quality 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



of iron, introduced other manufac- 
tures ; and iron has continued from 
that time the staple commodity of 
the town. There are at present 
in Salisbury, 4 blast furnaces, 5 
forges, with 20 tires, 2 puddling; 
establishments, 1 screw shop, 1 
anchor shop, 2 scythe manufacto- 
ries, 1 hoe manufactory, 2 trip ham- 
mers, 2 cupola or pocket furnaces, 
for small castings. 

From five to six hundred thousand 
bushels of charcoal are annually 
consumed at the ditTerent establish- 
ments. The puddling furnaces re- 
quire from two to three thousand 
cords ot wood annually. The num- 
ber of workmen emplo\'ed in the 
ditTerent processes of preparing the 
material and manufacturing the ii-on, 
amount in all to about five hun- 
dred men. The furnaces produce 
annually from two thousand to two 
thousand live hundred tons of pig 
iron. The forges and puddling es- 
tablishments annually produce from 
one thousand two hundred to one 
thousand five hundred tons of 
wrought iron, which is used for an- 
chors, car axletrees, musket bar- 
rels, and various other kinds of 
drafts. The Salisbury iron ore is 
the brown hematite, and yields 
about forty per cent of pig iron. 
It is well known to manufacturers, 
and stands as fair in the market as 
any other iron in the country. 

Salmon Rivers. 

Salmon river, in Maine, is a trib- 
utary to the Penobscot, of about 30 
miles in length. Its course is S., 
and falls into the Penobscot about 4 
miles below the union of the east- 
ern and western branches of that 
river. 

Salmon Fall river, Maine and 
J^ew Hampshire. See Piscata- 
qua. In this river, between Ro- 
chester and Lebanon, Maine, is a 
fall, which, from its singularity, 
deserves notice. The river is con- 
fined between two rocks, about 25 
feet high, the breadth at the top of 



the bank not more than three rod?. 
It is called the flume, and is about 
four rods in length, its breadth va- 
rying fi'om two and one half feet to 
less than one foot ; but here the 
water has a subterraneous passage. 
In the rocks are many cavities from 
one to seven feet in diameter, most- 
ly cylindrical, and from one to four 
feet in depth. 

Salmon Brook. See JVas/twa, 
JV. H. 

Salmon river, Connecticut. This 
beautiful mill stream has its source 
in the high lands in Tolland coun- 
ty, and passing south, receiving in 
its course many valuable tributa- 
ries, it meets the Connecticut at 
East Haddam, producing a beauti- 
ful cataract. There is a river of 
this name in Salisbury, Ct. 

Saiiltoriitoii, IV. II., 

Strafford co., has New Hampton 
and Meredith on the N.,Gilmanton 
£. and S. E., Franklin S. and W., 
and is 20 miles N. from Concord, 
60 N. W. from Portsmouth, and 9 
W. from Gilford. 

The bay between Sanbornton and 
Meredith is 3 miles in width. There 
are no rivers or ponds of magnitude 
in this town. Salmon Brook pond, 
in the N. part, and a brook of the 
same name, its outlet, are the only 
ones worth mentioning. This brook 
passes through the N. W. part of 
the town, and affords several milt 
sites. 

Sanbornton presents an uneven 
surface, but contains no mountains. 
The highest hills, with one or two 
exceptions, admit of cultivation. 
The soil is almost universally good, 
and well rewards the labor of pa- 
tient industry. There is a gulf in 
this town extending nearly a mile 
thi-ough very hard rocky ground, 
38 feet in depth, the walls from 80 
to 100 feet asunder, and the sides 
so nearly corresponding as to favor 
an opinion tliat they were once uni- 
ted. There is also a cavern in the 
declivity of a hill, which may be 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



entered in a horizontal direction to 
the distance of 20 feet. This town 
was once the residence of a power- 
ful tribe of Indians, or at least a 
place where they resorted for de- 
fence. On the Winnepisiogee, at 
the head of Little bay, are found 
the remains of an ancient fortifica- 
tion. It consisted of six walls, one 
extendinc; alonfjthe rivei-,an(l across 
a point of land into the bay, and 
the others in ri^ht angles, con- 
nected by a circular wall in the 
rear. Traces of tliese walls are 
yet to be seen, though most of the 
stones, &c. of which they were 
composed have been removed to the 
dam thrown across the river at this 
place. Within the fort have been 
found numbers of Indian relics, im- 
plements. Sac, and also on an island 
in the bay. When the first settlers 
of Sanbornton arrived, these walls 
were breast high, and large oaks 
were growing within tlieir enclos- 
ure. 

This town was settled in 17G5 
and 1766, by John Sanborn, David 
Duston, Andrew Rowen and oth- 
ers. It was incorporated in 1770. 
Population, 1830, 2,866. 

Saudgate, Vt. 

Bennington co. The people of 
this town are favored with moun- 
tain air, and with crystal streams 
■which even the Bostonians might 
relish. Shettarack and Bald moun- 
tains are in the N. W. part of the 
town ; Spruce and Equinox are in 
the N. E. ; Red mountain is in the 
S. E., and Swearing hill in the S. 
W. Between these elevations is 
some good land, which produces 
grass and grain ; and which, witli 
the mountain browse, affords feed 
for more than 7,000 sheep. Sand- 
gate was chartered in 1761. It is 
20 miles N. from Bennington, and 
31 S. by W. from Rutland. Popu- 
lation, 1830, 933. 

Sandisficld, Mass. 

Berkshire co. This is an eleva- 



ted township at the S. E. corner of 
the county, on the line of Connec- 
ticut. It is watered by a pleasant 
stream, a brancli of P'armington riv- 
er. The soil is generally good, 
particularly for pasturage. Consid- 
erble wool is grown in this town, 
and a large amount of leather tan- 
ned. Sandisiield is 124 miles W. by 
S. from Boston, 18 S. E. by S. from 
Lenox, and 38 E. from Hudson, N. 
Y. Incorporated, 1762. Population, 
1837, 1,493. 

Saudo'vvn, N. H., 

Rockingliam co., is bounded N. 
by Chester and Poplin, E. by Dan- 
ville, S. by Hampstead, W. by 
Chester and Londonderry. It is 31 
miles S. E. from Concord, and 26 
S. W. from Portsmouth. The sur- 
face of this town is rather uneven, 
but the soil in general is well ad- 
apted to the production of grain and 
grass. Phillip's pond, lying in the 
S. part of the town, is the largest, 
being about 340 rods long, 200 wide. 
Angle pond, in the S. E. part of 
this town, is about 200 rods long, 
and 90 or 100 wide. Tliere are sev- 
eral other smaller ponds. Squam- 
scot river flows from Phillip's pond, 
and pursues a nearly level course 
for 1 1-2 miles, where another 
stream unites with it : from this 
junction, whenever the waters are 
high, the current passes back with 
consitlerable force towards the pond. 
The settlement of Sandown was 
commenced about the year 1736, 
by Moses Tucker, and others. — 
The town was originally a part of 
Kingston, and was incorporated, 
1756. Population, in 1830, 553. 

Sand-wick, 'S, II. 

Strafford co. Sandwich is 70 
miles N. N. W. from Portsmouth, 
and about 50 N. from Concord. This 
town was originally granted by 
Gov. Benning Wentworth,in 1763, 
and comprised 6 miles square. On 
the 5th Sept. 1764, upon the repre- 
sentation of the grantees that the 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



N. and W. sides thereof were " so 
loaded with inaccessible mountains 
and shelves of rocks as to be unin- 
habitable" — an additional gi'ant was 
made of territory on the E. and S., 
called Snndwich Jiddition. Sand- 
wich mountains are a lofty range 
extending N. E. and terminating in 
Chocorua Peak in Albany. Squam 
mountain, extending from Holder- 
ness through a corner of Campton 
into Sandwich, is of considerable 
height. There are other mountains. 
The Bearcamp I'iver, its branches 
rising in the mountains N. and W., 
passes E. into Tamworth. The W. 
branch passes through Bearcamp 
pond. There is anollier pond not 
far distant from this, from which is- 
sues Red Hill river, passing S. into 
the Winnepisiogee lake. A small 
stream passes W. into the Pemige- 
wasset river. About one fourth of 
Squam lake lies in the S. W. corner 
of Sandwich. This is a flourishing 
town with a number of mills. Thir- 
ty thousand pounds of maple sugar 
was made here in the spiing of 
1838. Population, 1830, 2,74-1. 

Saiidwicli, Mass. 

Barnstable co. This town is ve- 
ry pleasantly situated on the shoul- 
der of Cape Cod, 12 miles S. W. 
from Barnstable, 30 E. from New 
Bedford, and 53 S. E. from Boston. 
Incorporated, 1639. Population, 
1830,3,367; 1837, 3,579. Sand- 
wich is watered by a number of 
streams which afford a good water 
power; and by numerous ponds, 
some of which are large, affoi'ding 
a variety of excellent tish. The 
forests afford an abundance of deer, 
and to the lovers of rural sports, 
Sandwich and the neighboring 
towns of Barnstable and Falmouth 
have justly become favorite resorts. 
The value of the manufactures of 
the town for the year ending April 
1, 1837, amounted to .$382,248. 
They consisted of glass, ($300,000) 
leather, nails, vessels, salt, iron cas- 
tings, stoves, &c. The value of 



the New England crown glass has 
been fully tested and found to be 
as clear and stionger than any oth- 
er now in use. Sandwich has a good 
liarboi-, and about 20 sail of coasting 
and fishing vessels. 

It is proposed to unite Massachu- 
setts and Buzzard's bays by a ship 
canal through this town. The dis- 
tance is five miles and the route 
level. A glance at Mr. Hale's ex- 
cellent map of New England, shows 
most conclusively, the immense ad- 
vantages to be derived by such a 
work. 

Sandy Hay, Mass. 

See Gloucester. 

Sandy Point, Mass. 

The most northern extremity of 
Nantucket Island, on which is a 
light, 60 feet in height. 

Sandy River, Me. 

This valuable mill stream re- 
ceives its head waters in the coun- 
ty of Franklin, near Saddleback 
mountain, and in a winding course 
through the southern part of that 
county it enters Somerset county 
aud Uiingles with the Kennebec at 
Starks, 37 miles above Augusta. 
Sandy river is a fertilizing sti-eam ; 
it receives a number of tributaries, 
and waters a beautiful portion of 
the state. Its length is about 45 
miles. 

Sanfoi'd, Me. 

York CO. Sanford is watered by 
Mousum river; it has a good water 
power, and an establishment for the 
manufacture and printing of cotton 
goods. Incorporated, 1768. Pop- 
ulation, 1837, 2,324. It is 94 miles 
S. W. from Augusta, 35 W. S. W. 
from Portland, and is bounded S. 
W. by Alfred 

Sangerville, Me. 
Piscataquis co. This beautiful 
and thriving town is not mountain- 
ous, but it is so elevated between 
Penobscot and Kennebec rivers that 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



the waters of its ponds meet the 
ocean by both of those streams. 
Sangerville is 70 miles N. W. from 
Augusta, and is bounded by Dover 
on the W. Incorporated, 1814. — 
Population, 1S37, 1,115. Wheat 
crop, same year, 10,792 bushels. 

Saugatuck River, Ct. 

See Westport. 

Saugiis, Blass. 

Essex CO. Saugus was taken from 
Lynn in 1815, and derives its name 
from the Indian name of the river 
which passes through it. That 
river is exceedingly crooked in its 
course, and forms large tracts of 
meadow. The uplands are uneven 
and rocky. It lies 10 miles S. W. 
from Salem, and f) N. by E. from 
Boston. Population, 18-37, 1,12:3. 

The value of the manufactures 
of Saugus, the year ending April 1, 
1837, was about $200,000. They 
consisted of shoes, ($150,000) choco- 
late, morocco leather, snuflT, cigars, 
bricks, wool cleaning, and silk and 
woolen dyeing. 

Savoy, Mass. 

Berkshire co. Savoy is an eleva- 
ted township, and gives rise to 
branches of Deerfield and Hoosack 
rivers. The land is generally good, 
and pastures a considerable number 
of sheep. It lies 125 miles W. N. 
W. from Boston, and 20 N. N. E. 
from Lenox. Incorporated, 1797. 
Population, 18.37, 917. 

Saybrook, Ct. 

Middlesex co. This is one of 
the most ancient towns in the state. 
Lord Say and Seal, Lord Brook and 
other gentlemen in England, dis- 
satisfied with the government of 
Charles!., contemplating a removal 
to this country, procured, in 1632, 
of Robert, Earl of Warwick, a pa- 
tent of all the country " which lies 
west from Narraganset river, a 
hundred and twenty miles on the 
sea coast; and from thence in lati- 

3-2* 



tude and breadth aforesaid, to the 
South Sea." In 1635, they ap- 
pointed Mr. John Winthrop, a son 
of the governor of Massachusetts, 
to buikl a fort on Connecticut river, 
and appointed him governor for one 
year. 

In the summer of 1639, Colonel 
George Fenwick,one of the paten- 
tees, arrived from England, and in 
honor of Lord Say and Seal, and 
Lord Brook, gave the tract about 
the mouth of Connecticut river, the 
name of Saybrook. Colonel Fen- 
wick superintended the affairs of the 
colony until 1644, when, his associ- 
ates having relinquished the design 
of removal to America, sold the ju- 
risdiction of Saybrook to the Con- 
necticut colony. 

The original limits of the town 
extended upon the east side of the 
river for several miles, and included 
a part of the town of Lyme. The 
township now comprises three par- 
ishes, viz: Saybrook, AVestbrook, 
and Essex. Saybrook parish is the 
southeast section of the town. The 
Indian name for this place was Pat- 
taqunsset. West of this is West- 
brook parish, which was called by 
its Indian name Pochaug, until Oc- 
tober, 1810. North of these two 
parishes is Pautapoug or Essex. 

Saybrook is upwards of 7 miles 
in length from north to south, and 
averages more than G in breadth. 
The greater part of the township is 
uneven and stony. There are, 
however, some extensive levels, 
and tracts of rich soil, particularly 
in the vicinity of Saybrook village, 
in the southern part of the town. 
Some of the hills, near Connecticut 
river, have good granite quarries. 
There are several small harbors on 
the Sound, and on Connecticut riv- 
er, at Saybrook point and Pauta- 
poug. The bar at the mouth of the 
Connecticut is an impediment to 
navigation; vessels of a moderate 
draught are often obliged to pass it 
with part of their cargoes. The 
depth of water at the bar, at spring 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



tides, is about twelve feet. Say- 
brook harbor is at the mouth of a 
handsome cove, making up from 
Connecticut river, and extending 
west almost to Saybrook village. It 
is often resorted to by coasters in bad 
weather. To this pliice the river 
is open tlirough the winter, and it is 
here that vessels are frequently 
laid up, and goods deposited, while 
the river is frozen over above. 
Large quantities of fish are taken 
in this town. The sliad fislierics 
are numerous, and a source of con- 
siderable wealth. Connecticut riv- 
er shad are considered superior to 
any other in this country. White 
fish are taken upon the shores of 
the Sound, and are very valuable 
for the purposes of manure. They 
are afforded at a cheap rate ; tiie 
lightest soils, enriched by them, 
have produced forty bushels of rye 
to the acre, and they have an equal- 
ly advantageous effect upon the 
growth of corn and potatoes. 

Saybrook village is 40 miles S. 
S. E. from Hartford, 34 E. from 
New Haven, and 18 W. from New 
London. Population, 1830, 5,018. 

Besides the business in naviga- 
tion, the fishery, ship building and 
quarrying of stone, there are many 
manufacturing establishments in 
the several villages in this town. 
Among the articles manufactured, 
are augers, gimlets, hammers, steel 
carriage springs, ivory and iron 
combs, ink stands, sand boxes, &c. 

The Borough of Essex is about 
7 miles from the mouth of Connec- 
ticut river, on the west side. It is 
a place of considerable commerce, 
navigation and sliip building, with 
a population of about 1,000. 

Ship building was commenced in 
1740, on the Pochaug, and is still 
a leading branch of business in the 
place. There are at present about 
15 vessels owned here, principally 
coasters. It is estimated that there 
are 1,200 inhabitants in its limits. 

Saybrook point is a peninsula, 
circular in its form, and connected 



with the main land by a narrow 
neck, over which the tide some- 
times flows. From this place to 
the fort, on the eastern extremity 
of the peninsula, the distance is 
about one mile. On the neck, a 
palisado was anciently formed from 
the river to the cove, to secure Say- 
brook point from any sudden incur- 
sion of the Indians. The soil on 
the peninsula is light and sandy, 
and the elevation of the highest 
part is about twenty feet. Being 
nearly destitute of trees and shrub- 
bery, it presents to the beholder a 
bleak and naked aspect. 

The land on the point was laid 
out with care, as it was expected to 
become the residence of great men, 
and the centre of great business 
and wealth. It is said that Oliver 
Cromwell, with other men then 
equally distinguished, actually em- 
barked in the Thames, to occupy 
this ground. Westward of the fort 
a square was laid out, on which it 
was intended houses should be erect- 
ed for Ci'omwell, Pymm, Hasselrig, 
and Hampden, the most illustrious 
Commoners in the English annals, 
who were expected from Europe ; 
while a square still further west 
was reserved for public uses. 

About half way between the 
palisado was erected the first build- 
ing designed for the collegiate 
school, since named Yale College. 
Thisinstitution was founded in 1700, 
and remained at Saybrook 17 years. 
The building was one story in height, 
and about eighty feet in length. 
Some remains of the cellar, " over 
which the ploughshare has passed," 
are still visible. Fifteen com- 
mencements were held at Saybrook. 
More than sixty young men were 
graduated, most of whom entered 
the ministry, and some of them be- 
came characters of distinguished 
usefulness and excellence. To 
educate young men of piety and 
talents for the ministry, was the 
leading design of this institution. 
It was desired by the founders and 



NKW ENGLANO GAZETTEER. 



Others, that the cliiirclies should 
liavo a public jitandard or confession 
of f.iilh, agreeable to which the in- 
struction of the college should be 
conducted. This led to the adop- 
tion of the Saybrooh- Platform, 
after the commencement in 1708. 

David Gardiner, was the first 
white child born in Connecticut. 
The following was written upon a 
hlank leaf of an old bible, in pos- 
session of John G. Gardiner, Esqr., 
or (iardinoi-'s Island, N. Y. 

" In the year of our Lord, 1635, 
tlie 10th of July, came I, Lion Gar- 
diner and Mary my wife from Wor- 
den, a town in Holland, wlicre my 
wife was horn, being the daughter 
of one Uiricke Willemson deurcant ; 
lier mother's name was Hachir, 
and her aunt, sister of her mother, 
was the wife of Wouter Leanerd- 
son, old burger Muster, dwelling 
in the hostrade, over against the 
Bruserin the Unicorne's head; her 
brother's name was Punce Garret- 
son, also old burger Muster. We 
came from Worden to London, and 
from thence to New England, and 
dwelt at Saj'brook fort four years — 
it is at the mouth of Connecticut 
river — of which I was commander, 
and there was born unto me a son, 
named David, 1635, the 29th of 
April, the first horn in that place, 
and 1G38 a daughter was born, 
named Mary, .30th of August, and 
then I went to an island of my own, 
which I had bought and purchased 
of the Indians, called by lliem Mon- 
chonack, by us Isle of Wight, and 
there was born another daughter, 
named Elizabeth, the 14th Septem- 
ber, 1G4I, she being the first child 
of English parents that was born 
there." 

Saybrook is a very pleasant town, 
and full of interesting associations. 

Saxton's River, Vt., 

Is formed in Grafton, Windham 
county, traverses an eastern course 
about 11) miles, and falls into the 
Connecticut at Rockingham. It 



is an excellent mill stream, and 
derived its name from a Mr. Sax- 
ton, who was drowned near its 
mouth. 

Semitic River, Cti 

See East Windsor. 

Scarboroitgli, Mc. 

Cumberland co. This town lies 
105 miles N. E. from Boston, and 
60 S. W. from Augusta. It con- 
tains 30,634 acres of land, and a 
population of 2,244. 

A part of this town, called Black 
point, lying upon the sea, was 
granted by the council of Plym- 
outh to Thomas Cammock, in 1631 ; 
this was soon after settled, and be- 
came of considerable importance on 
the coast in the fisheries and trade. 
The land is held under that ancient 
grant at the present day. Another 
settlement was early made by a 
family of Algers, from England, 
near the centre of the town, and 
called Duastan corner, which name 
it still bears. This was wholly de- 
stroyed in the Indian war of 1675. 
It was, liowever, revived by a de- 
scendant in the female line, through 
w'hom that race is still perpetua- 
ted. 

Scarborough is principally an ag- 
ricultural town, foi- which purpose 
it furnishes some rich soil, and has 
a large quantity of salt marsh. — 
Ship building, however, continues 
to be pursued here, although not to 
the extent it formerly was. Nou- 
suck river passes through the whole 
length of the town. Its present 
name was given to it in 1658, when 
it submitted to the government of 
Massachusetts; previously the east- 
ern side of the river and Marsh 
was called Black point, and the 
western. Blue point, names which 
are still in familiar use. 

This town has the honor of being 
the birth place of the distinguished 
statesman Iturus King, and his 
half brother, William King, 
the first governor of Maine. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



Schoodic liakes, Me. 

These are large collections of 
water, of very irregular form, uni- 
ted together, by boatable passages, 
lying principally in Washington 
county, but extending west into the 
county of Penobscot. Their out- 
let is by a large stream of the same 
name, into the river Saint Croix, 
on the west side, of about 9 miles 
in length. These lakes cover a 
large surface, they are naviga- 
ble for large boats, and their bor- 
ders, and indeed the whole country 
around them, are densely wooded. 
Vast quantities of timber and lum- 
ber descend from these waters to the 
St. Andrews, Eastport and Lubec 
markets, on the Passamaquoddy. 

Scitiiate, Mass. 

Plymouth co. Tliis town, the 
Indian Satuit, lies at the mouth of 
North river, in Massachusetts bay, 
and has a convenient harbor, defend- 
ed from the violence of the sea by 
several islands. 

The J^orth River rises near the 
sources of the Taunton. It passes 
Pembroke, Hanover and Marsh- 
field, and meets the tide water 
here. This river is very deep, nar- 
row and crooked, and is noted for 
the fine ships built on its banks. 
The manufactures of Scituate con- 
sist of leather, boots, shoes, tacks, 
vessels, &c. The value of vessels 
annually built is about ^40,000. 
These vessels are of superior me- 
chanism, and are built of native 
white oak, remarkable for its dura- 
bility. There are a number of ves- 
sels belonging to this town employ- 
ed in the merchant service and 
coasting trade. During the year 
ending April 1, 1837, Scituate had 
22 vessels engaged in the fishery : 
they took 6,500 barrels of macker- 
el, valued at $46,000. 

The town extends back from the 
bay a considerable distance ; it con- 
tains large tracts of salt meadow and 
some valuable upland. 



Scituate is 17 miles S. E. by S- 
from Boston and 20 N. W. by N. 
from Plymouth. First settled, 1633, 
Incorporated, 1637. Population, 
1830, 3,470 ; 1837, 3,754. 

The first settled minister in this 
town was the Rev. Charles 
Chauncy. He remained here 
twelve years previous to his becom- 
ing the second president of Har- 
vard College. 

Rev. Thomas Clapp, president 
of Yale College, was born in this 
town, in 1703. He graduated at 
Harvard College in 1722, and died 
in 1767. 

gcitnate, R. I. 

Providence co. This town was 
a part of Providence until 1731, 
wlien it was incorporated. It lies 
12 miles W. by S. from Providence, 
and, in 1830, had 3,394 inhabitants. 
The surface of the town is diversi- 
fied by hills and valleys: in the 
north part of the town the soil is a 
gravelly loam, better adapted to 
grazing than tillage. Pawtuxet 
river with several of its branches 
give Scituate a good water power, 
and large manufactories, particular- 
ly of cotton and wool are found on 
their banks. There is a valuable 
quarry of free-stone in the western 
part of the town. 

Seabrook, N. H., 

Rockingham co., is situated atthe 
S. E. corner of the state, 17 miles 
S. S. W. from Portsmouth, and 7 
N. from Newburyport, bounded N. 
by Hampton Falls, E. by the Atlan- 
tic, S. by Massachusetts, W. by 
South Hampton and Kensington. It 
was formerly a part of Hampton 
Falls, and was granted, 1768, to Jona- 
than Weare and others. Settlements 
commenced here in 1638. The riv- 
ers are Black, Brown's and Walton's 
rivers. Many of the rivulets abound 
with bog ore of iron. This town 
derives its name from the number 
of rivers and rivulets meandering 
through it. Whale-boat building is 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



the most important manufacture, 
and is carried on to a s^reater extent 
than in any other town in New Eng- 
land. Tlie larger part of the male 
inhabitants are mechanics and sea- 
men. Perhaps no town in the state 
is better situated for carryina; on 
the Bay and Labrador fisheries than 
this. Population, in 1S30, 1,096. 

Seacouiiet Rocks, R. I., 

Or Point. See Little Compion. 

Searsl>urgli, Vt. 

Bennington co. Searsburgh is 
too elevated on the Green Moun- 
tains either for cultivation, popula- 
tion, or wool growing. It has -tO in- 
habitants, and 41 sheep. It is 11 
miles E. from Bennington. 

Searsinoiit, Mc. 

Waldo CO. Scarsmont has a good 
soil, and some beautiful ponds. It 
is a pleasant and flourisliing town, 
30 miles E. from Augusta, and 12 
S. W. from Belfast. Population, 
1837, 1,392. Wheat crop, same 
year, 2,792 bushels. 

Seaville, Me. 

Hancock co. This town was in- 
corporated in 1S38, and comprises a 
part of the island and town of 
Mount Desert, and Bartlett's, Rob- 
inson's, Hardwooil and other small- 
er islands on the coast. 

Sebago Lake, Me. 

Cumberland co. This is a beau- 
ful sheet of water, about 12 miles in 
length, and of various breadths. The 
widest part is across from Baldwin 
to Raymond, about 7 miles. It re- 
ceives the waters of Long and sev- 
eral other ponds, and of Crooked 
river, at and from the north. It dis- 
charges into Casco bay, at Fal- 
mouth, by the Presuiiipscot. The 
Cumberland andOxfoid canal, com- 
pleted in 1829, passes from this lake 
to Portland, and is the channel of 
considerable inland trade. 



Seliago, Me. 

Cumberland co. This town lies 
between Sebago lake and Hancock 
pond, and was taken from Baldwin 
in 1826. It lies 87 miles S. W. by 
W. from Augusta, and 30 N. W. 
from Portland. It has a good soil 
and is watered bj^ small streams. 
Population, 1S37, 646. 

Sebasttcook River, Me. 

This valuable mill stream rises 
in Sangerviile, Dover and Dexter, 
on the border of Penobscot and 
Piscataquis counties; it passes S. 
E. and S. through Ripley, Harmo- 
ny, Hartland and Palmyra to Chand- 
lerville ; it then runsS. W. through 
Burnham and tails into the Kenne- 
bec between Clinton and Winslow, 
opposite to Watcrville. This stream 
receives several tributaries; it is 
about .^0 miles in length ; it has nu- 
merous falls and passes through a 
delightful country. 

Sebec, Me. 

Piscataquis co. Sebec is a town- 
ship of good soil, and is well water- 
ed by Sebec Pond and its outlet, 
Sebec river, which empties into the 
Piscataquis, on the north side, in 
the town of Milo. This town lies 
87 miles N. N. E. fi-om Augusta, 
and 9 N. N. E. from Dover. In- 
corporated, 1812. Population, 1837, 
987. Wheat crop, same year, 7,650 
bushels. 

<S'e&tc Pond lies in the towns of 
Sebec, Foxcroft and Bowcrbauk : it 
is about 10 miles long, and about a 
mile average breadth. Its outlet is 
a good mill stream of about 10 miles 
in length. The country around 
these waters is fertile and heavily 
timbered, and the scenery pictur- 
esque and beautiful. 

Seboois Lakes and River, Me. 

Seboois Lakes are connected 
sheets of water, of irregular form, 
of about 1.5 miles in length, varying 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



in width from hnlf a mile to a mile 
and a half. Tlit-'.V ^^y near the 
Aroostook and constitute the head 
waters of the eastern branch of Pe- 
nobscot river. Seboois River is 
their outlet. See Penobscot River. 

Sedg^vick, Mc. 

Hancock co. Sedgwick lies on 
the west side of Blue Hill bay, 87 
miles E. from Augusta, and about 
25 S. by W. from Ellsworth. In- 
corporated, 1789. Population, 1837, 
1,784. This town has good hai-bors 
and enjoys great privileges for nav- 
igation. A number of vessels are 
owned here employed in the coast- 
ing trade and tlsliery, and ship 
building is an important branch of 
business. The soil of the town is 
not so productive as that moi-e dis- 
tant trom the sea, still it is abundant- 
ly able to supply its own people 
■with bread stuff's and all the varie- 
ties of fruits and vegetables com- 
mon to a New England climate. 

This town was named in lionor 
of Theodore Sedgwick, an em- 
inent statesman and jurist, a senator 
to Congress, and for many years a 
judge of the supreme court of Mas- 
sachusetts. He died at Boston in 
1813, aged 6C, highly valued by his 
friends and country. 

Seekonk, Mass. 

Bristol CO. This town is watered 
by Seekonk, or Pawtucket river, 
also by Ten mile river, a good mill 
stream. It lies 41 miles S. from 
Boston, 4 E. by N. from Provi- 
dence, R. I., and 14 S. AV. from 
Taunton. It was taken fi-om Re- 
hoboth in 1812. Population, 1837, 
2,016. There are three cotton mills 
in the town, which constitute the 
principal manufactures; the annu- 
al value of which is about ,f;80, 000. 

Seven Mile Brooli, 3Ie. 

This stream rises by several 
branches in the counties of Somer- 
set and Franklin ; it runs in a south- 



ensfern direction, about 35 miles, 
afibrding mill privileges to the towns 
of King-field and New Portland, 
and mingles with the Kennebec at 
Anson, 40 miles N. E. from Augus- 
ta. 

Seymour LAke, Vt« 

See Charleston. 

Shaftsbury, Vt. 

Bennington co. This town lies 
between the Battenkill and Wal- 
loomsac, and gives to those rivers 
some tributaries. West mountain 
lies in this town and Arlington. 
Shaftsbury lies 97 miles S. S. W. 
from Montpelier, and 8 N. from 
Bennington. First settled, 1763. 
Population, 1830, 2,143. Among 
the lirst settlers was the Hon. Jo- 
nas Galusha, late governor of 
the state. He was a captain in the 
militia in 1777, and commanded a 
company of the "Green mountain 
boys," at the battle of Bennington. 

Although the surface of Shafts- 
bury is elevated, the soil is gener- 
ally of an excellent quality ; it feeds 
12,000 sheep, and its products of 
beef cattle and of the dairy are 
considerable. There are valuable 
beds of iron ore in the town, pine 
timber and quarries of beautiful 
marble. It has a number of manu- 
facturing concerns on its small 
streams, a pleasant village and a 
school fund of $10,000. 

Sliapleigli, 3Ie. 

York CO. Between Shapleigh and 
Acton are some pleasant ponds, the 
source of Mousum river which emp- 
ties into the sea at Kennebunk. A 
bed of lich hog iron ore has recent- 
ly been discovered in the town, 
which promises great usefulness. 
The surface of the town is gener- 
ally level, and the soil favorable for 
the growth of wool, grass, wheat 
and other grain. Plere are iron 
works and other manufactures. 
Shapleigh was incorporated, 1785. 



NEW EXGLAXD GAZETTEER. 



Population, 1S37, 1,317. It is 103 
miles S. W. from Augusta, and G 
N. W. froin Alfred. 

SHarou, TS. H., 

Hillsborough co., is bounded N. by 
Peterboi-ou<;h, E. by Temple, S. by 
New Ipswich and Riiidge, and W. 
by Jaffrey. It is 18 miles W. by S. 
from Amherst, and 48 S. S.W. from 
Concord. The streams in Sharon €ire 
small branches of Coutoocook riv- 
er, and rise near the S. E. corner of 
the town. Boundary mountain lies 
on the line between this town and 
Temple, and has an elevation of 
200 feet above the surrounding 
country. Sharon was incorporated, 
1791. Population, in 1S30, 271. 

SUaroii, Vt. 

Windsor co. White river passes 
through Sharon and affords it an 
abundant water power. Here ai-e 
mills for the manufiicture of wool- 
en goods, paper and other articles. 
It contains a .handsome and flour- 
ishing village. The suiface of the 
town is broken, but the soil is warm 
and productive. It keeps about 
5,000 sheep. Sharon was first set- 
tled in 1763. Population, 1830, 
1,459. It lies 22 miles N. from 
Windsor, and 34 S. by E. from 
Montpelier. 

Sharon, Mass. 

Norfolk CO. JVIashapoag pond in 
this town is one of tlie sources of 
Neponsct river. Sharon has a good 
water power; one woolen and two 
cotton mills. There are also man- 
ufactures of axes, bed-steads, straw 
bonnets, leather, boots, shoes, wool 
cards, machinery, joiners' gages, 
&c. : annual value, about ,^75,000. 
Sharon is a very pleasant town ; the 
scenery around Mashapoag, the In- 
dian name of the place, is highly 
pleasing. There is good tishing in 
this pond. This town was incorpo- 
rated, in 1765. It is 18 miles S. S. 
W. from Boston, 8 S. from Dedham, 



and 24 N. by E. from Providence, 
R. I. Population, 1S37, 1,093. 

Sharon, Ct. 

Litchfield CO. Sharon lies on the 
west side of Housatonick river, 
opposite to Cornwall. The eastern 
part of the town is elevated, moun- 
tainous, and stony, but is suited for 
grazing : the western part, which 
borders on the state of New York, 
is a fertile tract of undulating land, 
and very productive of all sorts of 
grain. Agriculture is the chief 
business of the inhabitants : they 
provide for about 10,000 sheep. 
Population 1830, 2,615. 

Sharon was first settled in 1739. 
The village is situated principally 
on one street, on the eastern side of 
a beautiful valley, 16 miles W. N. 
W. fi'om Litchfield, and 47 W. by 
N. from Hartford. There is a beau- 
tiful village called " Hitchcock's 
Corner," partly in Sharon and part- 
ly in the state of New York : this 
also is situated in a beautiful valley, 
and rich in agricultural resources. 

"Considerable numbers of the 
Indians resided in the western and 
northwestern parts of the town, 
which are watered by two large 
ponds, and by the Ten Mile river, 
which touches the western bor- 
ders of the town. Their principal 
village was on the east side of the 
Indian pond, so called, which is a 
body of water lying partly in the 
state of New York, and partly in 
Connecticut. On a romantic and 
l)eautiful plain, lying between this 
pond on the west, and the Indian 
Alountain, on the east, was a nu- 
merous village, where the natives 
continued to reside for many years 
after the whites came into the town. 
This tribe was visited by the Mo- 
ravian missionaries, and one of them 
died and was buried there. He 
died in 1749, and a plain stone was 
placed over his grave, with the fol- 
lowing inscription : 

" David Bruce of Edinburgh in 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



Scotland, Minister of The Breth- 
ren's Church among the Indians. 
Depart'd 1749." 

This town took an active part in 
favor of the liberties of the coun- 
try. 

" The approach of a large British 
army from Canada, under General 
Burgoyne, and the expedition up 
the North River, under General 
Vaughan, in 1777, filled the whole 
country with terror and desponden- 
cy, and created strong fears and 
doubts as to the issue of the con- 
troversy : the firmness and confi- 
dence of Parson Smith, however, 
remained unbroken, and his efforts 
to revive the drooping spirits of his 
people were unremitted. In the 
month of October, he preached a 
sermon from these words : " Watch- 
man, what of the night.? The 
Watchman saith, the morning com- 
ech." In this discourse he dwelt 
much upon the indications, which 
the dealings of Providence afford- 
ed, that a bright and glorious morn- 
ing was about to dawn upon a long 
night of defeat and disaster. He 
told the congregation, that he be- 
lieved they would soon hear of a 
signal victory crowning the arms of 
America; and he exhorted them to 
trust with an unshaken and fearless 
confidence in that God, who, he 
believed, would yet crown with 
success the efforts of the friends of 
liberty in this country. Before the 
congregation was dismissed, a mes- 
senger arrived, with the intelli- 
gence of the surrender of Bur- 
goyne's army. Parson Smith read 
the letter, conveying the intelli- 
gence, from the pulpit, and a flood 
of joy and gratitude burst from the 
congregation." 

Sliaivslieen River, Mass. 

This river rises in Lexington and 
Bedford. It passes Billerica, Wil- 
mington and Tukesbury, and falls 
into the Merrimack, at Andover, 
20 miles N. by W. from Boston. 



Sheepscot River and Bay, Me. 

The head waters of this river 
are derived from ponds in Palermo. 
Its course is south through the towns 
of Whitefield and AIna. It meets 
the tide water between Wiscasset 
and New Castle, and proceeds to a 
bay of the same name. The length 
of the river from its source to the 
bay is about 35 miles. This river 
is valuable on account of its hy- 
draulic power and navigable facili- 
ties. 

Sheepscot Bay sets up from the 
sea between Boothbay and George- 
town, and receives the waters of 
the river. It is about 3 miles wide 
at its mouth, and extends about 10 
miles north. The whole of these 
waters are often called " Sheepscot 
River." The mouth of this bay 
or river bears about N. E., 6 miles, 
fiom Seguin Light, at the mouth 
of Kennebec river. 

Slieffield, Vt. 

Caledonia co. This town is 35 
miles N. E. from Montpelier, and 
16 N. from Danville. First settled, 
17<)2. Population, 1S30, 720. 

This town lies on the height of 
land between Connecticut river 
and Memphremagog lake. Branch- 
es of Passumpsic and Barton rivers 
both rise here. It is watered by 
several ponds. The lands are gen- 
erally broken and not very produc- 
tive. 

Slieffield, Mass. 

Berkshire co. This is a very 
pleasant town, on both sides of the 
Housatonick. The river meanders 
circuitously and slowly through the 
town, and forms large tracts of rich 
alluvial meadow. " In large fresh- 
ets the river overflows its banks to 
a great extent, and forms the ap- 
pearance of a large lake. The vil- 
lage is neat; situated in a beauti- 
ful valley, surrounded by hills, one 
of which is 3,000 feet "in height, 
and presents a great variety of^de- 



NEW ENGLAND OAZETTEEH. 



liijhtfiil scenery. There are man- 
ui'actures in tlie town of leatlier, 
hats, ploughs, and spirits, but the 
principal business of the people is 
agricultural. In 1S;57, there were 
6,892 sheep sheared in the town : 
the value of the wool amounted to 
!§!ll,372. Marble and iron ore are 
abundant. 

Sheffield is the oldest town in the 
county : it'was incor|)orated in 1733. 
It lies 140 miles S. \V . from IJoston, 
20 S. from Lenox, and 28 E. from 
Hudson, N. Y. Population, 1837, 
2,308. 

SUelbtiriie, ti. H. 

Coos CO. Androsco2;gin river 
passes through the centre of this 
town, into which fall the waters 
of Rattle river and some smaller 
streams. The soil on each bank of 
the river is very good, producing 
in abundance grain and grass : but 
as we rise from the river, the tracts 
are mountainous and unlit for culti- 
vation. 

Mount Moriah, an elevated peak 
of the White Mountains, lies in the 
S. part of Shflburne. Moses' 
Rock, so called from the first man 
known to liavc ascended it, (Moses 
Ingalls) is on the south side of the 
river, near the centre of the town. 
It is about 60 feet high and 90 long, 
very smooth, and rising in an angle 
of nearly 50°. In 1778, David and 
IJenjamin Ingalls conimenceil a set- 
tlement at Slielburne, and not long 
afterwards, several families were 
added. In August, 1781, a party 
of Indians visited this town, killed 
one man, made another prisoner, 
plundered the houses, and retui-ned 
to Canada in savage tiiuni])h. This 
(own was incorporated in 1820. 
Population, 1830, 312. 

Sliclburii, Vt. 

Chittenden co. On the east side 
of Lake Champlain,33 miles AV. by 
N. from Mon(i)clicr, and 7 S. from 
Hurlington. Population, 1830, 1,123. 
Logan's and Potter's points were 
33 



settled previous to the revolutionary 
war \>y men of tliosc names. Dur- 
ing tlie war these settlements were 
abandoned, but re-established at its 
close. Shelburn is finely watered 
by Piatt river, a pond covering 600 
acres, ami by the waters of the lake. 
Shelburn Bay sets into the town- 
ship about 4 miles fioin the N. W., 
and afiords the (own a good harboi', 
and a depot of (he interior trade on 
the bcaulilul Champlain. The soil 
of the town is strong, fertile, and 
generally well improved. About 
10,000 slieep are within its limits. 

Slielburne, Mass. 

Franklin co. This town lies on 
the N. side of Deertield river op- 
posite to Conway. It is 100 miles 
W. by N. from Boston, and 5 W. 
from Greenfield. Population, 1837, 
1,018. Incorporated, 1768. Deer- 
field river falls in this town a <lis- 
tance of 20 feet, and produces a val- 
uable water ])owcr. 

The manufactures of tlie town 
consist of woolen goods, leather, 
boots, shoes, scythes, palm-leaf 
hats, &c. : annual value about 
.$40,000. The soil of the town is 
generally of a good quality; con- 
siderable wool is grown, and some 
cattle and pioductsof the dairy are 
sent to market. More than common 
attention is paid to mental culture. 
Tills is a pleasant and flourishing 
town : the scenery about the falls 
is very handsome. 

^hellion, Vt. 

Franklin co. T!ie first settle- 
ments commenced here in 1790, by 
Elisha and Samuel H. Sheldon, from 
Salisbury, Connecticut. This is a 
good township of land, productive 
of wool, grain, and other northern 
commodities. The river Missisque 
passes through the town, and Black 
creek, a branch of that river, gives 
Sheldon an ample water power. 
The village is a tiuiviiig place, both 
in its maimfartures and trade. It 
lies 46 miles N. W. Irom Montpe- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



lier, 32 N. by E. from Burlin2,ton, 
and 10 N. N. E. from St. Albans. 
Population, 1830, 1,427. 

Sliepaug River, Ct. 

This river rises in Goshen, in the 
county of Litchfield ; it receives 
several branches, and passes south, 
through the towns of Washington 
and Roxbury, and falls into the 
Housatonick at Southbury. This is 
a good mill stream, in some parts 
rapid, in others gentle and fertiliz- 
ing. 

Slierl>ui-iie, "Vt. 

Rutland co, Killington Peak, 
3,924 feet in height, several ponds, 
and Thundering brook, with a hand- 
some fall, lie in this town. Queechy 
river rises in this town, and along 
its banks is some good land; but the 
lands are generally too elevated 
even for pasturage. Sherburne was 
first settled in 17S.5. It lies 22 miles 
N. W. from Windsor, and 10 E. fi-om 
Rutland. Population, 1S30, 4.32. 

Sherburne, mass. 

Middlesex co. This town is wa- 
tered by Charles and Sudbury ri\r- 
ers. It is IS miles S. W. by W. 
from Boston, and 15 S. from Con- 
cord. Population, 1837,1,037. In- 
corporated, 1674. The soil of Shei'- 
burne is very good and pi-oductive. 
The village is on elevated land ; it 
is pleasant, a«d commands good pros- 
pects. The manufactures of the 
town consist of straw lionnets, boots, 
shoes, leather, axes, forks, plougns, 
muskets and whips : annual value, 
about ,$G0,000. 

Sliei'inau, Ct. 

Fairfield co. Sherman was for- 
merly the north part of New Fair- 
tield,and incorporated in 1802. Pop- 
ulation, 1830, 947. It is 60 miles S. 
W. from Hartford, 13 N. from Dan- 
bury, and bounded W. by the state 
of New York. There is a variety 
of soils in the town, but they are 
generally strong, warm, and pro- 



ductive of grass and grain. A 
branch of the Housatonick waters 
the town. Iron ore is found here. 

Slietiicket River, Ct. 

This fine mill sti-eam receives its 
head waters by several branches in 
the counties of Windham and Tol- 
land. It passes between Lisbon 
and Franklin and uniting with the 
Quinnebaug at Norwich, Hows in- 
to the Thames. Its principal bran- 
ches are the Natchaug and Willi- 
m an tic. 

Sliirley, Me. 

Piscataquis co. This town was in- 
corporated in 1834. It was former- 
ly No. 3 in the 4th range of the 
Bingham Purchase. It is watered 
by the higher branches of Piscata- 
quis river, and lies about 76 miles 
N. by E. from Augusta. Popula- 
tion, 1837, 213. 

Sliirley, Mass. 

Middlesex co. This is a very 
pleasant agricultural and manufac- 
turing town, 32 miles N. W. from 
Boston, 16 N. W. fi-om Concord, 
and 18 S. W. from Lowell. There 
are some elevations in the town, but 
of warm and fertile soil. There are 
large tracts of intervale land along 
the streams, which are very fertile 
and valuable. 

Shirley is separated from Groton by 
Nashua river, and from Pcp])erel! 
by the Squanicook, a branch of the 
Nashua. These streams afford Shir- 
ley a tine water power, which ren- 
ders it an excellent location for man- 
ufacturing establishments. There 
are 1 woolen and 3 cotton mills in the 
town, and manufactures of boots, 
shoes, paper, leather, palm-leaf hats, 
&c. Annual value, about ,'1^125,- 
000. Population, 1837, 967. 

Slioreliain, Vt. 

Addison co. This town lies on 
the east side of Lake Champlain, 
and is watered by Lemonfair river, 
a jrood mill stream. It is 12 miles 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEEn. 



S. W. fiom Middlebury, and 26 N. 
from Whitelmll, N. Y. The lake 
here is about a mile wide. Popu- 
lation, IS.'JO, 2,137. The surface of 
the town is level and the soil re- 
markably good. This is one of the 
best farming towns in the state. In 
1837, there was 26,334 sheep in 
Shoreham. There are some manu- 
factures in the town, and a pleasant 
and flourishing village on the banks 
of the lake. Most of the waters 
here are impregnated with Epsom 
salts. See Bridport. 

Shoreham was first settled in 
1766, by a number of persons who 
adopted the plan of holding all things 
in common. This mode of holding 
property was, however, relinquish- 
ed about the time of the revolu- 
tionary war. 

SUre-\vsbury, Vt. 

Rutland co. This town lies 22 
miles W. from Windsor and 9 S. 
E. from Rutland. Population, in 
1830, 1,289. Thi'- is a mountainous 
township, having Shrewsbury Peak 
within its limits, a summit 4,034 feet 
above the sea. Mill and Cold riv- 
ers and Peal's and Ashley's Ponds 
water the town, and fall into Otter 
Creek. There is some good land 
in this mountain town, and between 
three and four thousand sheep graze 
on its surface. 

Slire'»vsbiiry, Mass. 

Worcester co. This is an agri- 
cultural town of a pleasing variety 
of surface, and good soil, 36 miles 
W. by S. from Boston and 6 E. from 
'Worcester. Quinsigamond or Long 
Pond lies principally in this town. 
It is nearly four miles in length and 
from 40 to 2.50 rods in width. It 
empties into the Blackstone river 
and canal, and produces a consider- 
able hydraulic power. A floating 
bridge crosses this pond for the ac- 
commodation of the Worcester turn- 
pike, 525 feet in length, built in 
1818, and cost $6,000. 

The manufactures of Shrewsbury 



consist of clothing, guns, hats, 
chairs, straw bonnets, leather, boots, 
shoes, &,c : the value of which, dur- 
ing the year ending April 1, 1837, 
was ,$211,287. The town was in- 
corporated, 1727. Population, 1830, 
1,.3S6; 1837, 1,.507. 

Levi Pease, the father of mail 
stages in this country, was a native 
of this town. He died here in 1824, 
aged 86. Mr. Pease was a man of 
great enterprise ; he projected the 
first turnpike road in New England, 
and to his zeal and sacrifices the 
public is more indebted than to any 
other man for its excellent mail es- 
tablishment. At the time Mr. 
Pease started his first line of mail 
stages between Boston and New 
York, in 17S4, the mail between 
those places passed only once a fort- 
night, on horseback, in a pair of 
saddlebags. 

Sliiitestoury, Mass. 

This town is on high land, 10 
miles E. from Connecticut river, 9 
N. by E. from Amherst, 16 S. S.E. 
from Greenfield, and 78 W^. by N. 
from Boston. Incorporated, 1761. 
Population, 1837,816. Copper ore, 
and soapstone, are found here. On 
Swift river are three shingle mills 
and a wheel factory. There is a 
mineral spring of some note in this 
town, containing, in solution, iron, 
sulphur, &c. There is also a pond, 
covering about 700 acres, with an 
abundance of fine fish. 

Ephraim Pratt lived in this town 
many years, and died here in 1804, 
aged 116 years. He married at 
the age of 21, and could count 1,-500 
descendants. He was a very tem- 
perate man, so much so that for 40 
years he took no animal food. He 
was a farmer, and his health was so 
uniformly good that he was able to 
mow a good swath 101 years in suc- 
cession. He was born at Sudbury, 
1687. 

Sidney, Me. 

Kennebec co. Sidney is very 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



pleasantly situated on the west side 
of Kennebec river, and watered by 
a large and beautiful pond lying in 
this town and }3elgrade. It is 
bounded N. by Watervillc, and is 
12 miles N. from Augusta. Incor- 
porated, 1792. Population, 1837, 
2,346. Wheat ciop, same year, 
6,569 bushels. 

Smisl>tiry, Ct. 

Hartford co. The territory of 
this town was fornicily a part of 
Windsor: its Indian name was Mas- 
sacoe, and was incorporated in 1670. 
The surface of the town is greatly 
diversified by hills and valleys : a 
range of mountains pass through 
the town, and there is some level 
and gooti land within its limits 
on Farniington river. Population, 
1830, 2,221. 

Tariffville, a flourishing village, 
is situated at the northeastern ex- 
tremity of this town, on the west 
bank of the Farniington river, which 
at this place passes south, at the 
base of a range of mountains, which 
divides this part of the State from 
the great valley of Connecticut 
river. This place is a carpet man- 
ufacturing village, owned principal- 
ly by a company called the " New 
England Car])et Company ;" they 
employ 175 hands, and manufacture 
yearly about 132,000 yards of car- 
peting. This flourishing village is 
between three and four miles south 
of Simsbury mines, in Granby,near 
the New Haven and Northampton 
canal, and 12miles N.W. from Hart- 
ford. 

Skitticook River, Me. 

This is the most northern and 
eastern branch of the Matawam- 
keag. 

Skootmn liake, Me. 

A sheet of water of considerable 
size, (he outlet of which passes 
through Kilmarnock. 



Sko-*vliegan, Me. 

Somerset co. This town was for- 
merly called Milburn: it took the 
Indian name of the place in 1836. 
It is situated on the N. side of Ken- 
nebec river, at Skowhegan Falls. 
The river runs here in an eastern 
direction. The local situation of 
Skowhegan, its admirable water 
power, and the fertility of the adja- 
cent country, united with the en- 
terprise of its inhabitants, has ren- 
dered the place, but recently a wil- 
derness, one of the best cullivated 
townships in the state, the site of 
a great number of mills, and a mart 
of an extensive trade. There is much 
delightful scenery about Skowhe- 
gan ; the village is neatly built, and 
its beauty is much enhanced by the 
whiteness of the houses contrasted 
with the blue and green of the riv- 
er and its banks. Between Skow- 
hegan and Bloomfield is a small isl- 
and in the river. Across this isl- 
and are noble bridges uniting the 
(owns. This place lies 5 miles be- 
low Norridgewock and 33 N. from 
Augusta. Population, 1830,1,006; 
1837, 1,433. 

Slaterville, R. I. 

We regret to state that no ac- 
count of the manufactures of this 
interesting manufacturing village 
has been received. See Smithfield. 

i^niall, Cape, Me. 

Tlie eastern boundary of Casco 
Bay. 

Smitlifielrt, R. 1. 

Providence co. This is a large 
town, containing an area of about 
10 by 6 miles, and a great variety 
of surface ami soil. 

Smithfield has generally an un- 
dulating surface, presenting an 
agreeable diversity of moderate em- 
inences and gentle declivities; but 
in some sections it is considerably 
rough and broken. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



The manufacture of lime is an 
important and extensive business, 
and alTbrds employment to a great 
number of persons. Tliere is also 
a quarry of white stone at what is 
called Woonsockct hill, that sus- 
tains heat remarkably well, whieh 
renders it very valuable for furnace 
hearths. About two miles distant 
from this, there is a quarry, contain- 
ing excellent whetstones, for edge 
tools. 

The soil is a gravelly and sandy 
loam, with some sections of a cal- 
careous loam. It is generally rich 
and fertile, although in some places 
it has been reduced by an exhaust- 
ing system of cultivation. There 
are, however, some low and marshy 
tracts, which ai-e generally appro- 
priated to mowing, and afford good 
crops of grass. The agricultural 
productions consist of the various 
articles common to the climate ; 
Indian corn, rye, wheat, barley, 
oats, potatoes, flax, beef, pork, 
butter, cheese, apples, cider and 
hay. 

The waters of the town consist 
of the Blackstone, which washes 
its northeastern border, and a branch 
of this river, nearly of equal size, 
which intersects the town, dis- 
charging its waters into the former, 
in the northern section of the town. 
After the union of these streams, 
the Blackstone is from one to two 
hundred feet in width. At some 
seasons of the year, it overflows its 
hanks, and has been known to rise 
from 1-5 to 20 feet above its usual 
height. Besides these, there are 
niimerous small streams, some of 
which afford valuable sites for mills 
and manufacturing establishments, 
which are mostly occupied. In 
the south part of the town, within 
about 4 miles from Providence, 
there is a considerable body of wa- 
ter, called Scots Pond. It is near- 
ly a mile in length, about half a 
mile in width, and of great depth. 
What is remarkable in this pond, is 

•33* 



the steep descent of its shores. 
Cases have occurred, of persons 
being drowned in attempting to 
water their horses at this pond. 

There is a remarkable fall of wa- 
ter upon the Blackstone river, call- 
ed Woonsocket falls, which is con- 
sidered as quite a curiosity. The 
fall is about 20 feet, not perpendic- 
ular, but over a precipice of I'ocks 
for some distance. The fall of the 
water upon these rocks through a 
succession of ages, has occasioned 
numerous excavations, all of which 
are smooth and circular, and some 
of them very large, being sufficient 
to contain several hogsheads. 

The beautiful village of TVooii- 
socket is situated at these falls, on 
the line of Cumberland ; the river 
dividing the towns, and the village 
into nearly equal parts. In this 
village are 15 cotton and 2 satinet 
factoi-ies, a large furnace, machine 
shops, sash factory, &,c. The Black- 
stone canal passes through this 
village, and it is in contemplation 
to construct a rail road to meet the 
Boston and Providence rail road, 
either at Providence or at Dedham, 
Mass. This village is indeed a 
beautiful place, and exceedingly 
flourishing. It is 14 miles N. N. 
W. from Providence. 

Slaterville is another beautiful 
village in this town, on Branch 
rivei-, about 2 miles W. from Woon- 
socket. 

Smithfield is a large manufactur- 
ing town, containing many other 
pleasant villages, almost exclusive- 
ly devoted to manufacturing ob- 
jects. The ceiitre of the town lies 
9 miles N. W. from Providence. 
Incorporated, 1730. Population, in 
1830, 6,857. 

Smith's River, BT. H. 

Grafton co. This river rises froni 
several ponds in Grafton and Or- 
ange, and after pursuing a winding, 
but generally an east course, of 
from 12 to 18 miles, through Dan- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



bury and Alexandria, falls into tlie 
Peniigewasset, between Bristol and 
Hill. 

Solou, Me. 

Somerset co. Solon is a flourish- 
ing farming town, on the east side 
of Kennebec river, opposite to 
Embden. It lies 44 miles N. by 
"VV. from Augusta, and 18 N. from 
Norridgewocif. Population, 1830, 
768; 1837, 1,129. Wheat crop, 

1837, 6,567 bushels. The town is 
well watered by a pond and several 
streams : it has a pleasant village, 
and some manufactures. 

Somers, Ct. 

Tolland co. This town lies 22 
miles N. E. from Hartford, 10 N. 
by W. from Tolland, and 12 S. E. 
from Springfield, Mass. First set- 
tled, 1713. It was incorporated by 
Massachusetts in 1734, and named 
in honor of Lord Somers, at the re- 
quest of Governor Belcher. 

Part of the town is level, and 
productive of grass and grain, and 
part is quite elevated, producing 
good pasturage for sheep, and pre- 
senting delightful views of the val- 
ley of Connecticut river. It is wa- 
tered by Scantic river. 

Somers has a very neat village, 
in which is a large establishment 
for the manufacture of straw bon- 
nets. Population, 1830, 1,429. 

Somerset County, Me, 

JSTorridgewock, chief town. — 
Previous to the formation of Piscat- 
aquis and Franklin counties, in 

1838, for which purpose a consider- 
able portion of Somerset was taken, 
this county contained an area of 
about 8,785 square miles. Incor- 
porated, 1809. About one third of 
this territory may be said to be set- 
tled, incorporated or granted, the 
residue, a wilderness. Its popula- 
tion, in 1820, was 21,787; 1830, 
33,588 ; 1837, 40,963. Population 
to a square mile, 4 1-2. Gain in 



population, in seven years, 22 per 
cent. 

The present county of Somerset 
is bounded N. by Lower Canada, E. 
by Piscataquis and a part of Penob- 
scot counties, S. by the counties of 
Kennebec and Franklin, and W. by 
Franklin county and Lower Can- 
ada. 

This county is watered by many 
ponds, some of the large tributa- 
ries of the Kennebec, and by the 
upper waters of many other im- 
poi-tant rivers in Maine ; but its 
chief river is the noble Kennebec, 
which enters the county at its rise 
from Moose Head lake, and passing 
from that lake, which skirts the east- 
ern boundary of the county, it tra- 
verses nearly in its centre about 75 
miles. This river serves, at pres- 
ent, as a great thoroughfare to the 
ocean for an immense amount of 
timber, lumber and wood, the first 
fruits of the industry of pioneers to 
a heavily timbered country ; and, 
in after times, will serve for the 
transportation of the productions of 
a fertile soil to distant mai'kets, and 
of the wants of the inhabitants 
from abroad. 

The surface of this county is di- 
versified by considerable eleva- 
tions and extensive valleys, which 
give it a varied and pleasing as- 
pect. With the exception of the 
mountain range, which skirts the 
bounds of Canada, and the Bald 
Mountain ridge, nearly in the cen- 
tre of the county, IMount Bigelow 
and Mount Abraham, on the bor- 
der of Franklin county, are the 
most lofty. 

So far as the march of iniprove- 
ment has been made in this interior 
and almost wilderness county, the 
soil of the lands, generally, is found 
to be fertile, as easy of cultivation, 
and as productive of all the varie- 
ties of grasses, grains, vegetables and 
fruits, as any portion of New Eng- 
land, with very few exceptions. 
The more interior portions of the 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



county, those watered by the up- 
per I)ranches of the Penobscot and 
Walloomstook, now a wilderness, 
are said to be the most fertile. In 
1837, there were in the old county 
of Somerset, 77,921 sheep; and, 
durin<:j tliat year, it produced 239,- 
332 bushels of wheat, being the 
largest quantify of that valuable 
grain produced by any county in 
Maine, and probably by any 
county in New England. 

Somerset, A't. 

Windham co. Mount Pisgah 
and otlier elevations give to the sur- 
face of this township so rough and 
drear an aspect, tliat but few are 
bold enough to attempt the cultiva- 
tion of its soil. It is watered by 
the upper brandies of Deerlield 
river. Population, 1S30, 245. 

Somerset stayuls 15 miles N. E. 
from Bennington, and 14 W. from 
Nevvfane. It would put the neigh- 
boring towns into a pretty pickle if 
it should turn a Soinerset. 

Somerset, Mass. 

Bristol CO. This town is pleas- 
antly situated on the northern side 
of Taunton river, opposite to Fall 
River, and is the proposed depot of 
a rail road from Fail River to Provi- 
dence, R. I. It is 16 miles S. E. 
from Providence, 13 S. from Taun- 
ton, and 45 S. from Boston. Popu- 
lation. 1S37, 1.063. Incorporated, 
1790. 

There are some manufactures of 
stone and earthcrn wares, but ship 
building is the principal branch of 
mechanics in the town. 

Somers'wortli, IV. II. 

Strafford co. This town was for- 
merly a part of Dover. It was in- 
corporated in 1754. It is bounded 
N. W. by Rochester, N. E. by Sal- 
mon fall river, which divides it from 
Berwick, Me., and S. W. by Do- 
ver. It is 11 miles N. by W. from 
Portsmoutli and 45 E. from Concord. 

The W'liitc Mountains may be 



' seen from the summit of Otis' hill ; 
also the steeples of the meeting 
houses in Poi-tsmouth, and the masts 
of the shipping in the harbor. 

The soil of this town is well 
adapted to Indian corn, and almost 
all kinds of grain and grass. The 
tide tlows on the east side of this 
town, four miles to Quamphcgan 
falls. The river is of sutiicient 
dei)th, till within a mile of said 
falls, for vessels of 250 tons. The 
S. part of this town is bounded on 
Cocheco river, fiom ils confluence 
with the Piscataqua to the mouth 
of Fresh creek, near a mile ; and 
from thence by said creek to its 
head, nearly a mile and a half. 

There are but two ponds of note 
in this town : Humphrey's pond on 
the line of Dover, 200 rods long 
and 120 rods wide ; and Cole's 
pond, 150 rods long and 75 wide. 

Red and yellow ochre, also iron 
ore, have been found in this town. 
The ochre has been used in paint- 
ing houses, and has been found to 
make a durable paint. 

At Great Falls, are extensive 
manufactories, and a large and 
beautiful village. 

This town was settled between 
16.50 and 1700, by William Went- 
worth and others. Many of the 
llrst settlers were killed or taken 
captive and carried to Canada. Eb- 
enezer Downs, who was a quaker, 
was taken by the Indians at Indigo 
hill, in 1724, and carried to Canada. 
He was grossly insulted and abused 
by them, because he refused to 
dance as the other prisoners did for 
the diversion of their savage cap- 
tors. 

Nicholas Pike, author of a 
popular system of arithmetic, was 
born in this town, October 6, 1743. 

John Wentworth, son of the 
Hon. John Wentworth, was born in 
this town, July 14, 1745; and was 
graduated at Hai-vard college, 176S. 
He entered on the study of the law, 
and settled at Dover. When ap- 
plication was made to him to put an 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



action in suit, it was his practice 
to see the parties or to write to them, 
stating- the consequences of a legal 
process, and advising them to set- 
tle their differences between them- 
selves. By this mode of procedure 
he was instrumental in preventing 
many vexatious lawsuits ; and was 
entitled to the appellation of peace- 
maker. He was a member of the 
continental congress in the revolu- 
tion, and died January 10, 17S7. 

Hon. Thomas Wallingford, 
was born at Bradford, IMass., in 
1697. He came to this town in the 
early part of his life ; and by a dili- 
gent application to bvisiness, from a 
small beginning became one of the 
richest men in the province. 

IcHABOD Rollins, was born 
in Somersworth in 1721. He was 
a judge of probate for the county of 
Strafford, and' died January 31, 
1800. Population, in 1830, 3,090. 

Soiicooli Ktver, W. II., 

Has its source in three ponds in 
the south part of Gilmanton, lying 
near each other, called Loon, Rocky 
and Shellcamp ponds. It passes 
through Loudon, receiving several 
branches, and forms the boundary 
between Concord and Pembroke, 
falling into the Merrimack below 
Garvin's falls. 

Soiiliegaii River, N. H. 

Originally Soiihegenach, the name 
of a river in Hillsborough county, 
and the former name of Amherst 
and Merrimack. The principal 
branch of this river originates from 
a pond in Ashburnham, Mass. It 
passes N. through Ashby, at the 
N. W. angle of the county of Mid- 
dlesex, into New Ipswich, and 
through Mason, Milford, Amherst, 
into INIerrimack, where it unites 
with Merrimack river. In its course 
it receives several streams from 
Temple, Lyndeborough and Mount 
Vernon, and just before it falls into 
the Merrimack, receives Babljoo- 
snck brook, a considerable stream 



issuing from Babboosuck pond. See 
Amherst. 

Soutli Hamptou, N. H., 

Rockingham co., is bounded N. 
by East Kingston and Kensington, 
E. by Seabrook, S. by Amesbury, 
Mass., W. by Newtown; and is 50 
miles S. E. from Concord, and 18 
S. S. W. from Portsmouth. 

The surface is generally even, 
and the soil of a good quality. Pow- 
ow river passes through this town, 
affording valuable mill seats. South 
Hampton was incorporated in 1742. 

Hon. Phillips White, who 
was a member of the old congress, 
a counsellor in 17.92 and 1793, and 
for many years judge of probate, 
died June 21, ISll, aged 82. Pop- 
ulation, 1830, 487. 

Sovittiamptoii, Mass. 

Hampshire co. Manhan river 
waters the town and affords it mill 
privileges. The Farmington canal 
passes through the eastern part.. 
Lead in various forms and qualities 
is found here, and here is a subter- 
raneous passage leading to the lead 
mine in SVesthampton. There are 
some manufactures in the town, 
but the people are generally em- 
ployed in agricultural pursuits, and 
the soil is well adapted to that pur- 
pose. 

Southampton is pleasantly situa- 
ted, 9 miles S. W. from Northamp- 
ton, and 97 W. by S. from Boston. 
Incorporated, 1753. Population, 
1837, 1,216. 

Soiitli Ber-^viclt, Me. 

York CO. This town is situated 
on the N. E. side of Salmon Fall 
river, 97 miles S. W. from Augusta, 
and 10 W. N. W. from York. The 
limits of the town have recently 
been increased by the addition of a 
poi'tion of the territory of York. 
It was incorporated in 1814. Pop- 
ulation, 1830, 1,577 ; 18.37, 2,342. 
The Great Falls on the river at this 
place afford an hydraulic power of 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



great magnitude and value. Man- 
ufacturing operations coinnienced 
here many years ago, and have been 
gradually increasing ; but in 1837, 
the " Great Works Manul'acturing 
Company" was incorporated. This 
comi)any have a large capital, and 
are nialung arrangements for man- 
ufacturing on an extensive scale. 
When it is considered that this place 
is located an navigable waters, and 
only about a dozen miles from the 
beautiful harbor of Portsmouth, by 
water, these operations promise a 
favorable result, both to individual 
enterprise and the public. 

The village of South Berwick is 
pleasantly situated ; it is a place of 
considerable trade, and in the vicin- 
ity of delightful scenery. 

SouthborougU, Mass. 

■Worcester co. This town was 
taken from Marlborough in 1727. 
It has a good soil, and is well culti- 
vated by industrious and skillful 
farmers. It is watered by a branch 
of Sudbury river, and has man- 
ufactures of woolen cloth, boots, 
shoes, and straw bonnets : annual 
value, about $50,000. The Boston 
and Worcester rail road passes 
through this pleasant town. It 
lies 26 miles W. from Boston, and 
15 E. from Worcester. Population, 
1837, 1,113. 

SoatUliridge, Mass. 

Worcester co. Southbridge was 
taken from Sturbridge in 1814. — 
Population, 1830, 1,444 ; 1837, 1740. 
It is 54 miles S. W. from Boston, 
and 19 S. S. W. from Worcester. 
This town is watered by the Quin- 
neboag, a branch of the Thames, 
and a good mill stream. There are 
one woolen and three coKon mills 
in Southbridge, and manufactures 
of boots, shoes and cutlery : the 
value of which, for the year ending 
April 1, 1837, was ,$2()2",212. This 
town has an excellent soil and a 
pleasant and flourishing village. 



Soutlibury, Ct. 

New Haven co. The principal 
village in this town is pleasantly 
situated on the Pamperaug, a fine 
mill stream, which passes through 
the town. This village is 20 miles 
N. W. from New Haven, and 40 
S. W. from Hartford. 

The village of South Britain is 
about 4 miles S. W. from the princi- 
pal or central village : it is a t^our- 
ishing place, containing a num- 
ber of neat buildings, a carpet and 
several hat factories. This village 
is surrounded by high hills and 
precipices, and lias a romantic and 
picturesque appearance. The sur- 
face of the town is generally un- 
even : there is some good meadow 
land on Housatonick, Pamperaug, 
and Shepaug rivers, and the up- 
lands are warm and productive. 
Some traces of coal have been dis- 
covered. 

The northern part of the town is 
called " White Oak," from an oak 
tree under which the first persons 
who explored the town encamped. 
Pieces of this tree are considered 
by some as precious relics. South- 
bury was formerly attached to 
Litchfield county. It was a part 
of Woodbury, and was first settled 
about the year l(j72. It was incor- 
porated as a distinct town in 1786. 
Population, 1830, 1,557. 

South Hadley, Mass. 

Hampshire co. Nature and art 
seem to have united to render this 
an interesting place. The falls on 
the Connecticut are 50 feet ; not 
perpendicular, but in so short a 
distance as to render the river very 
rapid. These falls. Mount Hol- 
yoke at the north part of the town, 
and Mount Tom on the west side of 
the river, with the luxuriant mead- 
ows along this beautiful stream, 
would form a picture of no ordinary 
character. These falls are ren- 
dered passable for freight and steam 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



boats by a canal of about two miles 
in length. In this canal is a cut 
through solid rock, 40 feet in depth 
and 300 feet in length. The hy- 
draulic power, at this place, is very 
great, having the whole volume of 
Connecticut river and some smaller 
streams at command for manufac- 
turing purpo:ies. Much of the 
water power is yet unimproved, 
but its local situation is such as to 
insure its usefulness as the manu- 
facturing interests of New England 
increase. There are in South Had- 
ley 3 paper and 2 woolen mills, 
and manufactures of leather, boots, 
shoes, pearl buttons, iron, &c. : to- 
tal value, the year ending April 1, 
1837, $237,650. 

South Hadley lies on the east 
side of Connecticut river, 90 miles, 
W. from Boston, and 5 S. by E. 
from Northampton. Incorporated 
in 1753. Population, 1837, 1,400. 

Soutli Hero, Vt. 

Grand Isle co. Lake Champlain 
bounds this town on all sides. — 
The passage in the lake however, is 
very narrow between the towns of 
N. and S. Hero. It lies 12 miles 
N. W. from Burlington, and 16 S. S. 
W. from St. Albans. The lake is 
fordable a considerable part of the 
year on the Vermont side. This 
town was formerly a part of North 
Hero, and was separated from it in 
1788. First settled, 17S4. Popu- 
lation, 1830, 717. South Hero con- 
tains an area of about 9,065 acres 
of level land of an excellent soil. 
Its basis is limestone. It is suppos- 
ed that all the lands of this island 
county were once covered by the 
waters of the lake, as clam shells 
are found incorporated with the 
rocks in the highest places. The 
scenery around these islands is 
beautiful. This vicinity was a fa- 
vorite resort for the Indians, as ap- 
pears from a large number of their 
implements found on the islands. 
It seems they manufactured hatch- 
ets, spear heads, chisels, arrows, 



and a variety of other implements 
at this place, from a Hint stone not 
found in this region, but brought 
from a distance. This town fur- 
nishes a great abundance of food 
for the inhabitants, and some for ex- 
portation. It feeds about 6,200 
sheep. This is a pleasant stopping 
place for the angler, the painter or 
the geologist. 

SoiitJiington, Ct. 

Hartford co. Soulhingfon was 
taken from Farmington in 1779. 
There are some elevations in the 
town, particularly in the eastern 
part ; but the soil is generally very 
good for all kinds of grain and the 
pasturage of cattle. It is watered 
by the Quinnepiack, and the Far- 
mington canal passes through it. 
It contains a neat village, IS miles 
S. W. from Hartford and 21 N. 
from New Haven. Population, 
1830, 1,844. 

The inhabitants are generally en- 
gaged in agriculture ; yet several 
kinds of manufactures receive con- 
siderable attention. Peck's patent 
for machines for making tin ware, 
a most valuable invention, is exclu- 
sively owned in this town, and the 
business of making them is exten- 
sively carried on, by Peck &. Co., 
whose manufactory supplies almost 
the whole of the United States and 
the British provinces. The manu- 
facture of water cement is very 
extensively carried on in this town, 
and furnishes a supply for the wants 
of tlie vicinity, and some for distant 
markets. There is an establish- 
ment for the manufacture of lasts, 
which are turned out by a machine : 
this is effected by having a model 
of the shape wanted, inserted into 
the apparatus connected with the 
machinery. Besides the above, 
there is a brass foundiy; and sev- 
eral other establishments, for man- 
ufacturing various articles, such as 
saws of different kinds, tin ware, 
combs, spoons, clocks, brushes, &c., 
are in operation, more or less ex- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



tensivcly, at different times, accor- 
ding to the demands of the market. 
Copper has been discovered, in sev- 
eral places, in the range of moun- 
tains on the eastern bolder of the 
town. 

Soutli Kliugston, R. !• 

W'ashington co. Chief town. 
This town was formerly a part of 
North Kingston, and was lirst set- 
tled in 1670. It is the largest town 
in the State, comprising 98 square 
miles, and within its limits is the 
noted Point Judith. It has an 
uneven surface, a soil of a gravelly 
loam, based on a granite foundation. 
Large quantities of grain of vari- 
ous kinds and of the productions of 
the dairy are annually sent to mar- 
ket from this town ; also the fleeces 
of about 7,-500 sheep. This town 
possesses great- navigable advan- 
tages ; its eastern and southern 
borders being washed by the At- 
lantic ocean and Narraganset bay. 
It contains a great number of fresh 
water ponds, and a large salt pond : 
one of the fresh water ponds, cov- 
ers an area of between three and 
four thousand acres. 

The fisheries on the shores and 
in the ponds of South Kingston are 
of considerable extent and value. 
The fish taken are principally bass, 
alewives, perch and smelts. Some 
portion of the inhabitants follow a 
maritime life for a livelihood. 

The principal village in South 
Kingston is improperly called " Lit- 
tle Rest Hill," for it is quite a snug 
and comfortable place. It lies 30 
miles S. from Providence, and 9 S. 
from North Kingston. Population, 
1830, 3,663. 

Soutli Readin;^, Mass. 

Middlesex co. This town was 
taken from Reading in 1812. It 
lies 10 miles N. from Boston, 18 E. 
by N. from Concord, and 10 W. from 
Salem. Population, 1S30, 1,310; 
1837, 1,483. 

The manufactures of the town 



consist ofshoes,cabinet ware, chairs, 
shoe tools, razor straps, block tin 
and tin ware : annual value, about 
$60,000. 

This town contains a large and 
beautiful pond, the source of Sau- 
gus river. The village is compact, 
neat and flourishing. 

Soutli^vccli, Mass. 

Hampden co. This town is 
bounded S. by the state of Con- 
necticut, and is 100 miles W. by 
S. from Boston, and 10 W. S. W. 
from Springfield. Incorporated, 
1779. Population, 1S37, 1,291. It 
is watered by a considerable stream, 
and several ponds in the town sup- 
ply water for the Farmington canal, 
which passes through Southwick. 
The manufactures consist of gun- 
powder, leather, and distilled spir- 
its : annual value, about ,"{^70, 000. 
The surface of the town is eleva- 
ted, but the soil is generally good, 
particularly for grazing. The val- 
ue of wool sheared in 1837, was 
$2,125. 

So^'acialjacoolc River, Me. 

Penobscot co. This stream falls 
into the Penobscot at Hampden, 5 
miles below Bangor. Within 3 
miles of its mouthit falls 120 feet, 
furnishing many valuable mill priv- 
ileges. The main branch, which 
rises in Stetson, unites with the 
Harvey stream from Levant, and 
tiie Kinsley stream from Etna, both 
affording excellent mill sites, near 
the village in Carmel. Below 
these, the Sowadabscook is deep 
and sluggish, from 15 to 25 yards in 
width, (lowing through extensive 
meadows, and the Gri.'at and Little 
ponds in Hermon, with very little 
descent, to the head of the tails in 
Hampden. Near the east line of 
Carmel, this stream comes within 
about 20 rods of the Little Kendus- 
keag, a stream which flows tlirough 
the N. E. part of Carmel, from Le- 
vant to Bangor; and the two streams 
are united by a branch fiom 20 to 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



30 feet wide and 3 feet deep, called 
the Cross. The Kenduskeag is so 
rapid that it rises and falls much 
quicker than the Sovvadabscook. 
When the streams are rising, the 
current in the Cross sets towards the 
Sowadabscook, and when falling, 
towards the Kenduskeag. 

The country watered hy the 
Sowadabscook is generally rather 
level and free from hills, though 
there are many swells of very fine 
farming land. In the towns of 
Hermon and Hampden is a large 
tract, very little elevated above the 
level of the stream, and liable to be 
overilowed by freshets. It is too 
low for settlement, and is chiefly 
covered with wood. The improve- 
ment of this land requires too great 
an outlay of capital for a new coun- 
try, but it will probably at some 
time be among the most valuable 
in this country for mowing. 

There are on this stream, in 
Hampden, five superior saw mills, 
a grist and paper mill, and the privi- 
leges are excelled by few in New 
England. Upon the Kenduskeag 
are 9 mills below the Cross, many 
of them superior double mills. The 
pine timber has been cut off upon 
the waters of this stream to such an 
extent, as to give a high value to 
that which remains, and to the hem- 
lock timber, of which there are 
great quantities of fine quality. 

Since our first pages went to 
press, we have received, from an 
obliging friend, the following infor- 
mation in regard to Carmel. 

The township of Carmel, border- 
ing on the Sowadabscook, is a verj' 
level tract of land ; most of it of a 
very light and fertile soil, free of 
stone. The valleys have a fine 
growth of pine timber, which has 
been carefully preserved by the 
owners, and may be run, by means 
of the Cross, at a small expense, 
either to Bangor or Hampden. — 
There is probably no town in this 
section of the county, in which 



there was originally so valuable a 
growth of pine, or in which there 
is so large a quantity remaining. 
The swells are large, and are cov- 
ered with the rock maple, beech, 
birch, &c., and are of a very supe- 
rior quality for tillage. Near the 
streams are large tracts of intervale 
of great fertility, and making very 
fine meadows. There is little waste 
land in the town. The swamps are 
few and of small extent, but fur- 
nish cedars in sutficient quantities 
for fencing, for which use they are 
the finest and most durable mate- 
rial. 

The settlement of tins town is 
>-apidly progressing, and many of 
the farms recently cleared are very 
supei'ioi', and the buildings, fences, 
and improvements, show an active, 
industrious and enterprising peo- 
ple. 

The village near the centre of 
tiie town, is a very thriving and 
active place of business, on the 
stage road from Bangor to Skowhe- 
gan, 13 miles W. from Bangor, and 
11 W. N. W. from Hampden. Here 
are four stores, two taverns, an 
apothecary shop, potash, black- 
smiths, coopers, shoemakers, join- 
ers, and other shops ; an extensive 
tannery, mills, &c., and a meeting 
house is about being built. In the 
town are five good school houses, 
five saw mills, a clapboard and shin- 
gle mill, grist mill, and clothing 
mill. 

There are found in this town some 
fine specimens of petrified shells, 
at an elevation of 125 to 130 feet 
above the Penobscot, and near the 
banks of the stream, showing that 
this valley was once covered by 
the ocean. 

The roads in the towns watered 
by this stream are exceedingly well 
made, and creditable to the inhab- 
itants, though it is remarkable, that 
several of them, which were made 
in the early settlement, pass over 
decidedly the most inferioi- lauds in 
those towns. This is particularly 



NEAV ENGLa.,x^ gazetteer. 



true of the road from Hampden 
through Cariiiel and Etna to New- 
port: and the settlement of this 
section was formerly retarded, with- 
out doubt, by the unfavorable im- 
pression createil by this circum- 
stance. The projected rail road 
from Bangor to Augusta is survey- 
ed to pass through this town, near 
the bank of the stream ; and the 
level character of the country is 
exceedingly well adapted for that 
purpose. 

Spaffbrd's Lake, N. H. 

See Chesterjield. 

Speckled Mouutain, Me. 

Oxford CO. This mountain lies 
on the line of New Hampshire,^ 
partly in the town of Riley, and is 
said to be 4,000 feet above .sea 
level. 

Spencer, Mass. 

Worcester co. Seven Mile riv- 
er, a branch of the Chickopee, wa- 
ters this town. There are two 
woolen mills in the town, and man- 
ufactures of scythe snaiths, straw 
bonnets, boots, shoes, leather, cab- 
inet ware, chairs, palm-leaf hats, 
harnesses, and barrels : annual val- 
ue, about $S0,000. 

This townsiiip is quite elevated 
for the section of country in which 
it lies. It is stated to be the sum- 
mit level between the waters of 
Uoston harbor and Connecticut riv- 
er, 950 feet above the former, and 
.SSO feet above the latter. The 
surface of the town is agreeably 
varied by hills and valleys: the 
soil is fertile, and cultivated by men 
of industry and independence. 

Spencer is .52 miles W. from Bos- 
ton, and 12 W. from Worcester. 
Population, in 1830, l,f)18 ; 18.37, 
2,085. It was taken from Leices- 
ter in 1753. 

Splggot River, N. H., 

Rises in Hanipstead, and passes 
through Salem, and into the Merri- 

34 



mack between Methnen and Dra- 
cut, Mass., nearly opposite Shaw- 
sheen river, which comes from the 
S., through Andover. 

Sjilit, Cape, Me. 

See Addison. 

Springfield, Me. 

Penobscot co. The Matakeunk, 
a branch of the Matawamkeag, 
rises here, and, with several ponds, 
gives the town a considerable wa- 
ter power. The soil of the town is 
fertile, and in 1S37, with a popula- 
tion of .398, produced 9,429 bushels 
of wheat. Springtield was No. 5, 
2d range N. of the Bingham Pur- 
chase, and was incorporated in 1834. 
It lies about 60 miles N. E. by E. 
from Bangor. 

S pringfleld, IV. H. 

Sullivan co. This town is bound- 
ed N. by Grafton, E. by Wilmot, 
S. E. by New London, S. by Wen- 
dell an<l Croydon, W. by Croydon 
and Grantham. It lies 35 miles N. 
W. from Concord and 13 N. E. from 
Ncwpoit. A branch of Sugar riv- 
er has its source in this town; and 
also a branch of the 151ackwater 
river. The former empties into the ' 
Connecticut, the latter into the Mer- 
rimack. There are several ponds, 
viz. Station pond, about 250 rods 
long, 140 wide ; Ciiley pond, 240 
rods long, and about 80 wide ; Star, 
Stony, and Morgan's ponds. The 
land is rough and stony. This town 
was granted in 1T()9, by the name 
of Prvtecticorth. lis lirst settle- 
ment commenced in 1772. It was 
incorporated by the name of Spring- 
field, 1794. Population, 1830, 1,202. 

Springfield, Vt. 

Windsor co. Spi-ingfield is situ- 
ated at the S. E. corner of the 
county, on the W. side of Connect- 
icut river, and is 70 miles S. from 
Montpelier, 24 S. from Woodstock, 
and 110 N. W. from Boston. Pop- 
ulation, 1830, 1,498. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



The land in Springfield is gen- 
erally rich, with a deep soil suita- 
ble for grass or tillage ; on the riv- 
ers are extensive intervales, form- 
ing some of the most beautiful farms 
in the state. The principal agi-i- 
cultural products, are corn, rye, 
oats, beef, pork, butter, cheese ; and 
wool, of which 17,872 fleeces were 
shorn in 1837. Many horses are 
raised in this town and sent to mar- 
ket. 

The principal village is situated 
on Black River falls, near the 
centre of the town. These falls 
are about four miles from the con- 
fluence of Black river wiih the 
Connecticut; their descent i^ rapid 
over a rocky bed, about 60 rods, 
when the waters are contracted, 
and precipitated -50 or 60 feet down 
an abrupt ledge into a narrow chan- 
nel. This ravine extends about 12 
rods ; it is 60 or 70 feet deep, and is 
walled by perpendicular ledges of 
mica slate. Over this i-avine has 
been erected a bridge, from which 
may be had a full view of the falls. 
A mist constantly arises, in which 
may be seen, in a fair day, all the 
colors of the rainbow. 

There are in Springfield 1 cotton 
and 2 woolen mills, a sand paper 
factory, on an extensive scale, 
which produces an excellent arti- 
cle, and manufactures of machine 
cards, machinery, iron ware, lead 
pipe, hats, chairs, tin and copper 
wares, scythes, leather, cabinet fur- 
niture, and various other articles. 
This is a vei-y flourishing town, 
and the scenery around its neat and 
handsome village is delightful. 

Springfield, Mass. 

Chief town, Hampden co. Tins 
is one of the most beautiful and 
important inland towns in New 
England. It is situated on the east 
bank of Connecticut river, and is 
supplied with a good hydraulic 
power by Chickopee and IVIili riv- 
ers. It is 87 miles W. by S. from 
Boston, 17 S. by E. from North- 



ampton, and 27 N. from Hartford, 
Ct. Its Indian name was Agawam. 
First settled, 1635. Incorporated, 
1643. Population. 1820, 3,914; 
1830, 6,784 ; 1S37, 9,234. Along 
the banks of the Connecticut arj 
large tracts of fine alluvial meadow, 
which are very productive. Back 
from the river the land rises by a 
gentle acclivity to an extended pine 
plain. 

The village and business part of 
the town, is on a street between 2 
and 3 miles in length, running par- 
allel with the river. This village 
is very pleasant, well built, and 
contains many beautiful buildings. 
A handsome bridge, 1,234 feet in 
length, connects this town with 
West Springfield. Boats for the 
transportation of passengers, and 
for towing freight boats, are con- 
tinually plying between this place 
and Hartford, duiing the season of 
navigation. The rail road from 
Boston to Albany will pass through 
Springfield, which, with the great 
natural advantages it possesses, must 
render it one of the most important 
commercial depots on Connecticut 
river. 

About 4 miles north of the prin- 
cipal village, near the confluence 
of Chickopee river with the Con- 
necticut, stands the neat and en- 
terprising village of Chickopee, 
one of the most beautifully located 
manufacturing villages in New 
England. 

The United States Arsenal is 
delightfully situated on an elevated 
plain about half a mile east of the 
principal village. Tiie buildings 
are arranged with great taste and 
judgment, around a level square of 
20 acres, and make a fine appear- 
ance. The buildings are all of 
brick ; on one of which is a 
cupola, from which an extensive 
and delightful view of Connecticut 
river and the surrounding coun- 
try is present^. The water works 
are situated oii- Mill river, about a 
mile south of the arsenal. This 



N£W ENGLAND GAZETTEER, 



establishment was founded in 1795, 
and is considered the most impor- 
tant arsenal of construction in the 
United Stales. Tlierc are 260 
men constantly employed in the va- 
rious branches of this manufacture. 
In 1837, the lands and buildings 
attached to this establishment were 
valued at $210,000 ; Machinery, 
$50,000 ; 170,000 muskets on hand, 
$2,040,000 ; muskets manufactured 
during the year ending April 1, 
1837, 14,000, valued at $154,000 : 
amount of ordnance and stock on 
hand, $S0,0OO. 

An establishment for the manu- 
facture of brass cannon, employing 
25 hands, lately commenced by a 
private company, will manufacture 
cannon to the amount of $50,000 
per annum. 

There are in Springfield 7 cotton 
and 4 pa|)cr mills, 3 tanneries, and 
manufactures of iron castings, cut- 
lery, ploughs, chairs, cabinet and 
tin wares, boots, slioes, cal-ds, hard 
ware, steam boats, joiners tools, pa- 
per machinery, shuttles, bobbins, ri- 
Jles, stoves, machinery, swords, &c. 
The total value of the manufactures 
of Springfield, for the year ending 
April 1, 1837, exclusive of those 
by the U. S., amounted to $1,709,- 
700. See Register. 

Sqiiani. Jjake, &.e. 

Squam Lake, N. H., lies on the 
borders of Holdcrness, Sandwich, 
Moultonborougli and Centre Har- 
bor. This is " a splendid sheet of 
water, indented by points, arched 
with coves, and studded with a suc- 
cession of romantic islands." It is 
about 6 miles long, and in its widest 
part, 3 miles in widtb. It covers a 
surface of between 6,000 and 7,000 
acres, and is well stored with trout 
and other fish. 

Squam River is the outlet of the 
above mentioned lake : it passes 
through Squam pond in Ilolder- 
ness, and forms a junction with the 
Pemigewasset, at the S. W. corner 
of that town. 



Squam Bay and Village, Mass. 
The bay sets up between Glouces- 
ter and the mouth of Ipswich har- 
bor. The village is on Cape Ann, 
about 4 miles N. from the principal 
village of Gloucester, and is the re- 
sort and residence of a large num- 
ber of enterprising fishermen. 

Sqiianiauagouick, N. H. 

The name of a village at the fallson 
Cocheco river, in Kochester, so call- 
ed from the Indian name of the falls. 

Squamscot River, ]V. H., 

Or Swamscot, called also Great 
or Exeter river. See Exeter. 

^tafibrd, Ct. 

Tolland co. This town lies 24 
miles N. E. from Hartford, 6 N. E. 
from Tolland, 27 N. W. from Brook- 
lyn, 36 N. from Norwich, 14 N. E. 
from Springfield, Mass., and 73 W. 
S. W. from Boston. Population, 
1830, 2,515. 

The surface of the town is rough ; 
in some parts mountainous, abound- 
ing with rocks of primitive forma- 
tion. Its soil is a coarse, hard and 
dry gravelly loam ; generally not 
very productive. There are sever- 
al minerals in the town, but iron 
ore is the principal. As early as 
1779, a blast furnace was erected 
here, and cannon shot, hollow ware, 
&c., were cast. 

The town is watered by Fur- 
nace river, and the Willimantic, 
which unite in Stallord, and afford 
a good water power. There are in 
the town several blast and cupola 
furnaces, a cotton mill, manufac- 
tures of pistols, axes, adzes, car- 
penters' chisels, tailors' shears, 
drawing knives, and several other 
articles of cutlery. There are also 
manufactures of cotton and woolen 
machinery, cabinet ware, brush 
handles, iron card cylinders, and 
two forges for making wrought 
iron. 

Stafford Mineral Springs hnve 
acquired considerable notice, and 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



are celebrated for (heir virtues in 
curing cutaneous diseases. 

" The Indians first made the set- 
tlers acquainted with the virtues of 
these springs, when, in the year 
1719, this part of the country be- 
gan to be settled. ' It has been 
their practice, time immemorial, 
to resort to them in the warm sea- 
son, and plant their wigwams round 
them. They recommended the wa- 
ter as an eye water; but gave, as 
their own particular reason for 
drinking it, that it enlivened their 
spiiits.' It is said, that in lldG, 
these springs were carefully exam- 
ined by Dr. Warren, who then had 
thoughts of purchasing the land on 
which they rise, with a view of es- 
tablishing himself upon it. Subse- 
quent events transformed the phy- 
sician into a soldier, and Dr. Warren 
fell in the first great sti'uggle of the 
Revolution. Dr. Willard afterwards 
put Dr. Warren's plan into opera- 
tion, by building a large hotel for 
the reception of patients and oth- 
ers. The establisliment is at pres- 
ent owned by Mr. Jasper Hyde, 
and its former reputation is fully 
sustained, and it is a place of much 
resort for the purposes of health or 
pleasure during the summer season. 
There are two distinct springs, the 
medical qualities of which are con- 
sidered as essentially dilferent. One 
of them contains a solution of iron, 
sustained by carbonic acid gas, a 
portion of marine salt, some earthly 
substances, and what has been call- 
ed natron, or a native alkali. This 
spring has been known and used for 
a length of time, and has been pro- 
nounced by chemists to be one of 
the most efficacious chalj'bcate 
springs in the United States. The 
other spring, the medical vii-tues of 
which were not known till about 
the year 1810, contains, according 
to the opinion of Professor Silliman, 
(who examined it in that year) a 
large portion of hydrogen gas, of 
sulphur, and a small proportion of 
iron. These springs did not acquire 



much celebrity until about the year 
1765, when a case occurred calcu- 
lated to establish and extend their 
reputation. It was an effectual 
cuie of a most obstinate cutaneous 
complaint, which had completely 
baffled all medicinal skill, and re- 
sisted all other applications. The 
publicity which was given to this 
case soon raised the reputation of 
these springs ; and in consequence 
of which they immediately became 
a place of resort of persons afflict- 
ed with various diseases." 

Stamford, Vt. 

Bennington co. A mountain 
township on the line of Massachu- 
setts. It is 9 miles S. W. from Ben- 
nington, and 21 W. by S. from 
Brattleborough. Population, 1830, 
563. Branches of (he Hoosack and 
Walloomsack rise here. There are 
several fine fish ponds among the 
mountains ; and some good land ; 
but the lands in Stamford are gen- 
erally too elevated for culture. 

Stamford, Ct. 

Fairfield co. This beautiful town 
is bounded on the S. by Long 
Island Sound, and on the N. W. by 
the state of New York. Its Indian 
name was llTjtpoivams, and was 
purchased of the natives for " twelve 
coats, twelve hoes, twelve hatchets, 
twelve knives, two kettles and four 
fathom of white wampum." The 
soil of Stamford is a rich gravelly 
loam, well cultivated and very pro- 
ductive. Tiie surface is undula- 
ting, presenting a great variety of 
delightful prospects. The town is 
well su])plied with mill sites by 
Mill and Aliannas rivers, and, with- 
in its bay, between Shippan and 
Greenwich points, are good harbors 
for vessels of 8 1-2 feet draught of 
water. There are a number of 
vessels owned here, and Stamford 
is a place of an active trade with 
the surrounding country and New 
York. There are within the limits 
of the town an iron foundry, a roll- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



ing mill, a wire factory, and two 
large boot and shoe manufactories. 

Stamford Borough is a neat vil- 
lage, beautifully situated near the 
Sound, and surrounded by a coun- 
try full of interesting scenery. 

This was the residence of the 
Hon. Abraham Davenport, for 
many years one of the Counsellors 
of the colony, and afterwards of the 
state. He was the son of the Rev. 
John Davenport, the second minis- 
ter of Stamford, and grandson of the 
Rev. John Davenport, the father of 
New Haven colony. Mr. Daven- 
port was distinguished for his vig- 
orous mind. Christian integrity, and 
for his uncommon tirmness of char- 
acter. An instance of his firmness 
is here quoted. 

"The 19th of May, 1780, was a 
remarkable dark day. Candles 
were lighted in many houses ; the 
birds were silent and disapjjeared, 
and the fowls retired to roost. The 
legislature of Connecticut was then 
in session at Hartford. A very 
general opinion prevailed, that the 
day of judgment was at hand. 
The House of Representatives, be- 
ing unable to transact their business, 
adjourned. A proposal to adjourn 
the Council was underconsideration. 
When the opinion of Mr. Daven- 
port was asked, he answered, '1 am 
against an adjournment. The day 
of judgment is either approaching, 
or it is not. If it is not, there is no 
cause for an adjournment: if it is, I 
choose to be found doing my duty. 
I wish therefore that candles may 
be brought." 

Standisli, Itle. 

Cumberland co. This township 
is bounded on the N. and N. E. by 
Sebago Lake, and S. W. by Saco 
river. It lies 68 miles S. W. from 
Augusta, and 16 N. W. from Port- 
land. This is a good farming town 
with two pleasant villages. Incor- 
porated, 1785. Population, 1837, 
2,270. 

;]4* 



Starks, Mc. 

Somerset co. Starks is very 
pleasantly situated on the W. side 
of Kennebec river, and is also wa- 
tered by the Sandy, which unites 
with the Kennebec at this place. 
This town possesses great resources 
in the fertility of the soil, its loca- 
tion for trade, and its mill privileges. 
It lies 37 miles N. N. E. from Au- 
gusta, and 6 W. by N. from Nor- 
ridgewock. Incorporated, 1795. 
Population, 1837, 1,424. Wheat 
crop same year, 7,614 bushels. 

Stark, N. H. 

Coos CO. This town was named 
Piercy, until a few years since. 
It was then altered to compliment 
the memory of Gen. Stark. It con- 
tains about 20,000 acres, most of 
which is broken and extremely un- 
even. It was settled in 1788, but 
the progress of the settlement has 
been very slow. Population, 236. 
It lies 10 miles N. E. from Lancas- 
ter. 

Starksborough, Vt. 

Addison co. This town is wa- 
tered by Lewis creek and Hunting- 
ton river, which arc good mill 
streams. There are three springs 
in the town, not more than 20 rods 
apart, which unite and form a 
stream of sufficient power for a 
number of mills, and is thus im- 
proved. The town is rough and 
mountainous. Hog's Back moun- 
tain skirts its western border, and 
East mountain passes through its 
centre, and divides the waters of 
the rivers. There is some good 
land in the town, but a large portion 
of the territory is too elevated for 
cultivation. Here are 2 villages, 
and the manufactures of iron are 
considerable. 

Starksborough was first settled in 
1788. It is 22 miles W. by S. from 
Montpelier, and 18 N. by E. from 
Middlebury. Population, in 1830, 
1,342. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER, 



Sterling, Vt. 

Lamoille co. Sterling Peak, in 
the South part of this town, ranks 
among the most elevated summits 
of the Green Mountain range. 
Some streams issue from this moun- 
tain town. It was first settled in 
1799, and contains 23,040 acres of 
land. The quality of the soil may 
be known by the number of its in- 
habitants, 183; and by the number 
of its sheep, 350. It lies 24 miles 
N. by W. IVoni Montpelier. 

Sterling, Mass. 

Worcester co. This town was 
first settled about the year 1721. 
It was taken from Lancaster, in 
1781. It lies 40 miles W. from 
Boston, and 12 N. fiom Worcester. 
It is watered by Still river. Its 
surface is uneven, and its soil light. 
Population, 1837, 1,6.50. The nian- 
ufactures of the town consist of 
boots, shoes, leather, straw bonnets, 
palm-leaf hats, scythe snaiths, 
chairs and cabinet ware : total 
amount, for the year ending April 
1, 1837, $76,528y of which $53, 
228, was for chairs and cabinet 
ware. 

Sterling, Ct. 

Windham co. This town lies 10 
miles S. E. from Brooklyn, and 44 
E. by S. from Hartford. It was 
taken from Voluntown in 1794. 
Population, 1830, 1,240. The soil 
is a light gravelly and sandy loam, 
and produces good grain. Sterling 
is watered by two branches of 
Moosup river, a good mill stream, 
' on which are four cotton mills. 

" Near the centre of this town, 
there is a cavern, called the " Dev- 
il's Den," possessing very singular 
and curious features. It is situated 
within a ledge of rocks, and has a 
circular area of about 100 feet in 
diameter. The rock is cleft in two 
places, forming at each a chasm or 
fissure about 50 feet in depth, 



through one of which there runs 
a small stream of water ; the other 
communicates with a room about 
12 feet square, at the interior part 
of which there is a fire place, and 
a chimney extending through the 
rock above, forming an aperture of 
about 3 feet square. In another 
part of the rock there is a natural 
stair case, winding around it from 
the bottom to the top. In the cold 
season of the year, a large mass of 
ice is formed in the room above de- 
scribed, by the dashing of the water 
down the chimney, which contin- 
ues there through nearly the whole 
of the warm months, the sun being 
almost excluded from this subter- 
ranean recess." 

Stetson, Me. 

Penobscot co. This town is 
bounded N. by Exeter, and S. by 
Etna and Carmel. It is C3 miles 
N. E. from Augusta, and 18 W. N. 
W. from Bangor. It is watered by 
branches of the Sebaslicook and 
Sovvadabscook, which rise here. It 
was incorporated in 1831. Popula- 
tion, 1830, 114; 1837,437. The sur- 
face of the town is undulating, and 
the soil excellent. Wheat crop, 
1837, 3,704 bushels. 

Steuben, Me. 

Wasliington co. This is a mar- 
itime township, and comprises J)i/- 
er^s Baif, which sets up from the 
sea about 9 miles, and contains a 
number of good harbors. This bay 
lies between Little Menan Point 
and Goldsborough harbor. It is 
about a mile wide at its mouth. 

Steuben is a place of considera- 
ble ship building, and a number of 
vessels are owned here, employed 
in the coasting trade and fishery. 
Narraguagus river passes its north- 
eastern border. 

Steuben lies 107 miles E. from 
Augusta, and about 35 W. by S. 
from Machias. Incorporated, 1795. 
Population, 1837, 802. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEEn. 



Stevens' River, Vt. 

Caledonia co. This excellent 
iiiill stream rises in Peacliam and 
Ryegate. It received its name in 
compliment to Captain Phineas Ste- 
vens, the brave defender of Charles- 
town, N. H. The waters of this 
river are remarkably clear, and its 
banks luxuriant and romantic. It 
meanders about 15 miles, and in its 
course through Barnct it receives 
Harvey's lake, a pellucid sheet of 
water, covering an area of 300 
acres. This beautiful river min- 
gles its crystal waters with those of 
the Connecticut, at Barnet, by a 
leap of 100 feet in the distance of 
ten rods, as it were in joy to meet 
a sister stream on its passage to the 
hosoiu of the ocean. 

Ste-»vartstowii, 5f. II., 

Coos CO., lies on the E. side of 
the Connecticut, which washes its 
W. boundary, a distance of 7 miles. 
It lies 150 miles N. W. from Port- 
land, 150 N. from Concord, and 
is bounded N. by Canada. 

The Connecticut river is about 
15 rods in width at this place. — 
Bishop's brook, a considerable 
stream, rises in this town, and falls 
into the Connecticut at the N. W. 
corner. Dead water and Mohawk 
rivers have their sources here. 
Hall's stream, also, unites with 
the Connecticut in Stewartstown. 
There arc two ponds in the E. part 
of this town, called Little and Great 
Diamond ponds, both well stocked 
with salmon trout. There are no 
large mountains in Stewartstown, 
although there arc many elevations. 
The soil of the intervale is rich, 
and the uplands productive. 

Stewartstown was incorporated in 
1799. During the late war a block 
house or fort was erected in this 
town for defence by a company of 
militia, and occupied until Aug\ist, 
1814, when it was destroyed. Pop- 
ulation, 1830, 529. 



Stillvrater, Me. 

Penobscot co. A very flourish- 
ing village, on the lower falls of 
Penobscot river, in the town of Oro- 
no. An immense amount of lum- 
ber is sawed at this place, and raft- 
ed down to the Bangor market. See 
Orono. 

Stockbridge, Vt. 

Windsor co. This tow'n lies 36 
miles S. by \V . from Montpelier, 
and 26 N. \\\ from Windsor. First 
settled, 1783. Population, 1830, 
1,333. 

White river passes through the 
town, and at a place called the 
" Great Narrows," it is compressed 
into a channel of but a few feet in 
width, and, affords the only good 
mill seat in town. The soil of the 
town is better for pasturage than 
tillage. It feeds about five thou- 
sand five hunched sheep. 

Stockljridse, Mass. 

Berkshire co. This is a fine 
farming town on both sides of the 
Housatonick river, 130 miles W. 
from Boston, and 6 S. from Lenox. 
Incorporated, 1739. Population, 
1S30, 1,580; 1837, 2,036. 

The soil of this town is adapted 
to all kinds of culture ; much of it 
is rich alluvial meadow, and the 
uplands produce excellent feed for 
cattle. 

Here is an excellent hydraulic 
power, and a pleasant village on an 
extended plain, surrounded by de- 
lightful scenery. 

There are one cotton and two 
w'oolen mills in the town, two tan- 
neries, and manufactures of pig 
iron, iron castings, chairs, boots, 
shoes, and machinery for boring 
iron and wood : total amount of the 
manufactures, foi- the year ending 
April 1, 1837, $.380,765. Marble 
is abundant. 

A tribe of Indians had a reserva- 
tion of 6 miles square in this town, 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



from the year 1735 to their remo- 
val to New Stockbridge, Oneida 
county, New York. In 1735 there 
were 90 adult Indians in the tribe, 
of whom 52 were baptized by the 
Rev. John Sargent, a faithful mis- 
sionary, and their first spiritual 
guide. 

Stoddard, IV. H. 

Cheshire co. This town is bound- 
ed N. by Washington, E. bj- Wind- 
sor and Antrim, S. by Nelson and 
Sullivan, .and W. by Gilsum and 
Marlow. It is 14 miles N. N. E. 
from Keene, and 42 W. S. W. from 
Concord. 

This tovvn is situated on the height 
of land between Merrimack and 
Connecticut rivers. It is mountain- 
ous and very rocky. The soil is 
better adapted to grazing than til- 
lage. The south branch of Ashue- 
lot river has its source near the cen- 
tre of the town. The streams in 
the east section, fall into the Mer- 
rimack ; those on the west, into the 
Connecticut. There are fourteen 
ponds, some of which are of con- 
siderable magnitude. 

This town was formerly called 
Limerick. It was incorporated in 
1774, when it received the name of 
Stoddard, from Col. Samson Stod- 
dard, of Chelmsford, to whom Mith 
several others it was granted. The 
settlement commenced in June, 
1769. The first family was that of 
John Taggard, whose privations 
and hardships were very great. 
Their grain was procured at Peter- 
borough, at the distanceof 20 miles, 
which was conveyed by him on his 
back through the pathless wilder- 
ness. At one time, they had noth- 
ing, for six days, on which to sub- 
sist, but the flesh of the nioose. 
Population, 1837, 1,159. 

Stoueliaiu, Me. 

Oxford CO. Stoneham was incor- 
porated in 1S34. It lays westerlj' 
of Albany, and comprises the grant 



to Fryeburgh Academy. Popula- 
tion, 1837, 290. 

Stoueliam, Mass. 

Middlesex co. This is a small 
town, rocky and uneven. It has 
some good soil and much wood. In- 
corporated, 1725. Population, IS37, 
932. 

During the year ending April 1, 
1837, there were made in this town 
380,100 pairs of shoos ; valued at 
!$184,717, employing more than 
half its inhabitants. 

Spot Pond, a beautiful sheet of 
soft and pure water, lies in this 
town, 8 miles N. from Boston. It 
covers an area of 283 acres, and is 
143 feet above high water mark, 
at Boston. 

Stouiiigtoii, Ct. 

New London co. This town is 
situated at the eastern extremity 
of Long Island Sound; at the S. E. 
corner of the state, and on the line 
of Rhode Island. It contains an 
area of about six square miles. The 
land is rocky and uneven, but fertile 
and productive. A considerable 
amount of agricultural products is 
annually sent from this town to 
Nantucket and other places. It is 
watered by the Mystic and Pauca- 
tuck, considerable streams, on 
which are cotton, woolen and other 
factories. Stonington was first set- 
tled in 1649, and incorporated in 
1658. Population, 1830,3,401. 

This place was bombarded by 
British ships during the revolution- 
ary war, and again on the 10th of 
August, 1814, and gallantly de- 
fended. 

The harbor of Stonington sets up 
from the Sound, opposite Fisher's 
island, and is well protected by an 
expensive Breakwater. 

This place is noted for the com- 
mercial enterprise of its people. 
Large capitals are employed in the 
whale, seal, and cod fisheries. Five 
whale ships recently arrived, bring- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



ing each, on an average, 3,100 bar- 
rels of oil, and 25,000 pounds of 
bone. The sealing business in the 
Pacitic Ocean, has been conducted 
here, very extensively, for many 
years, with great success. Many 
ships are built, and a large number 
of coasting vessels, and some in the 
West India trade, belong to tlys 
port. This place is accomnioduted 
with a marine rail way, and a light 
house at the entrance of the har- 
bor. 

Stonington Borough is located on 
a narrow point of land, extending 
into the Sound about half a mile. 
It was incorporated in ISOl. It is 
handsomely laid out, is well built, 
and contains about 1,200 inhabitants. 
IVIany strangers visit this place in 
summer months to enjoy the marine 
air and delightful scenery. It lies 
54 miles S. E. from Hartford, 12 E. 
from New London, and 62 E. from 
New Haven. 

Stonington is an important point 
on the New York, Providence, and 
Boston Rail Road. The distance 
from New York to Brooklyn, on 
Long Island, across the ferry, is 
half a mile; from Brooklyn to Green- 
port, at the easterly part of Long 
Island, is 9S miles ; from thence, 
across the Sound, to Stonington, 
25; from Stonington to Providence, 
47 ; and from Providence to Boston 
41 miles. Total distance from New 
York to Boston,by this route, 211 1-2 
miles. 

Until the completion of the rail 
i-oad on Long Island, passengers are 
conveyed to and from New York, 
daily, by safe and splendid steam 
boats. 

Stop RlTer, Mass. 

This stream rises from ponds in 
Wrentham, and joins Charles river 
at Medfield. 

Stoughton, Mass. 

Norfolk CO. Some of the head 
waters of Neponset river rise in 
this town. When the Indians sold 



their lands in Dorchester, a resi- 
dence was established for them at 
this place, and called Punkapog, 
There were 12 families of Chris- 
tain Indians here in 1674. Mr. 
Elliot, the apostle of the Indians, 
bail the chief agency in their re- 
moval. 

There are two cotton and a wool- 
en mill in the town, and manufac- 
tures of boots, shoes, shoe tools, and 
boot forms: total value of manu- 
factures, the year ending April 1, 
1837, exclusive of cotton goods, 
$525,940 ; of which $4S7,39b was 
for boots and shoes. Hands em- 
ployed in the various manufactures, 
923. 

Stoughton was incorporated in 
1736. "it lies 20 miles S. from Bos- 
ton, and 10 S. from Dedham. Pop- 
ulation, 1830, 1,591 ; 1837, 1,993. 

Stciv, Me. 

See " Down East." 
Stow, Vt. 

Lamoille co. Waterbury river 
and its branches give this town a 
good %vater power, and by which 
several mills are put into operation. 
Stow is situated between the Mans- 
field and Hog's Back mountains, 
and contains a large tract of level, 
fertile land, which appears to have 
been of alluvial formation. This 
valley contains some very beautiful 
and productive farms. Between 
five and six thousand sheep are 
kept, and the exports of agricultu- 
ral products are valuable. Stow is 
a flourishing town, and contains a 
neat and pleasant mountain valley 
village. 

This town was first settled in 
1793. Itliesl5 milesN.'N.W. from 
IMontpclier, 12 S. from Hyde Park, 
and 26 E. from Burling'ton. Popu- 
lation, 1820, 957 ; 1830. 1,570. 

Sto'w, Mass. 

Middlesex co. Stow is watered 
by the Assabet river, and possesses 
a good water power. The soil is 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



light and sandy, and good for the 
growth of hops. It Hes 24 miles 
W. by N. from Boston, and S W. 
by S. from Concord. Incorporated, 
1683. Population, 1837, 1,134. 

There are two woolen mills in 
the town, and manufactures of 
leather, boots, shoes, straw bonnets, 
and palm-leaf hats: total value, 
the year eliding April 1, 1837, 
$231,611. 

Strafford County, 1^. II. 

Dover, Gilmanion, Gilford and 
Rochester, are the shire towns. 
Stratford county is bounded N. by 
the county of Coos, E. by the state 
of Maine, S. and S. Vr". by Rock- 
ingham and Merrimack counties, 
W. by the Pemigewasset river, 
which separates it from parts of the 
. counties of Grafton and Merrimack, 
and N. W. by Grafton county. It 
is 63 miles in length,., from the 
mouth of Lamprey river to the N. 
line of Albany ; 33 miles wide at 
the centre. Its shape, like that of 
all the other counties in the state, is 
irregular. It contains an area of 
1,345 square miles. This county, 
which extends to the neighborhood 
of the White mountains, has sever- 
al considerable mountains within its 
limits. Chocorua Peak, in Albany, 
Sandwich mountain in the same 
range, Ossipee and Eftingham moun- 
tains, Gunstock mountain, in Gil- 
ford, Moose, in Brookficld and Mid- 
dleton, Teneritfe, in ]\Iilton, and the 
ridge denominated Blue Hills, are 
the most elevated. Red Hill, in 
Moultonborough, has a command- 
ing elevation, and has long attracted 
visitors. Below, the waters of the 
Winnepisiogee lie open to the eye, 
and its numerous islands and bays 
present a fine appearance. This 
lake is much the largest body of 
water in the state, being 22 miles 
long, and varying from one to eight 
miles in width. Sullivan orSquam 
lake, lies partly in this county, and 
is 6 miles in length, and nearly 5 in 
width. Ossipee lake is also in this 



county. Great bay. Long bay and 
Merrymeeting bajr, are connec- 
ted with the Winnepisiogee lake. 
Smith's pond, in Wolfeborough ; 
Sixmile,in Eaton, Merrymeeting, 
in New Durham, and Lovewell, in 
Wakefield, are the principal ponds. 
The larger rivers, are the Piscata- 
(^ua, Salmon Falls, Cocheco, Saco 
and Swift rivers. The soil of 
Stratford county, though presenting 
a great variety, is generally good. 
The lands are generally hard of 
cultivation, but the patient laborer 
finds an ample reward for his in- 
dustry. This county possesses a 
large hydraulic power, and manu- 
i'acturing establishments are con- 
stantly increasing on its streams. 
Popufation, ISSO, 58,916. Popula- 
lation to a square mile, 44. In 
1837, there were 53,602 sheep in 
Strafibrd county. 

.Strafibi-el, N. H. 

Strafford co. This town lies 15 
miles N. W. from Dover, and 25 
E. N. E. from Concord, and is about 
7 miles in length, 6 1-2 wide. Bow 
pond is in the S. W. part of the 
town, and is about 650 rods long, 
400 wide ; its waters form one of 
the principal branches of the Is- 
inglass river. The range of Blue 
hills crosses the N. W. part of the 
town. The soil here is generally 
of a good quality. Strafford was 
formerly a part of Barrington, and 
was incorporated in 1820. Popula- 
tion, 1830, 2,200. 

Strafford, Vt. 

Orange co. This town is water- 
ed by a branch of Ompomponoo- 
suc river, and lies 30 miles S. S. E. 
from Montpelier, 30 N. from Wind- 
sor, and 11 S. S. E. from Chelsea. 
Population, 1830, 1,935. 

The surface of the town is rough, 
but the soil is productive. It feeds 
a large number of sheep. The 
manufacturing interests of Strafford 
are quite extensive. 

" in this township is an extensive 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



bed of the sulphuret of iron, from 
which immense quantities of cop- 
peras are manufactureil. Tlie ore is 
situated on the east side of an eleva- 
tion, and the bed is about half a mile 
in length, and from two to three 
rods iu width. Its depth has not 
been ascertained. A company was 
incorporated by the name of the 
" Vermont Mineral Factoiy Compa- 
ny," in October, 1S09, wliicli im- 
mediately commenced tlio manu- 
facture of copperas, at this place. 
In 1S22, 180 tons of copperas were 
manufactured here, ami in 1823, 
158 tons; since that time the man- 
ufacture has increased. The ore is 
covered to the depth of about three 
feet with a stratum of earth. Be- 
low this is a stratum of ferrugin- 
ous petrifactions, which exhibits 
forms of buds, leaves, limbs of 
trees, &.c. in admirable perfection. 
This stratum varies from two to 
three feet in depth. Below this 
lies the bed of sulphuret of iron. 
It is very compact. Its colors are 
brilliant, varying from that of steel 
to a bright yellow, and its appear- 
ance is occasionally diversified by 
small quantities of green copper 
ore. It is also traversed in many 
parts by small veins of quartz. The 
ore is detached from the bed in 
large masses, by blasting. It is 
then beaten to pieces with ham- 
mers and thrown into heaps several 
rods in length, about 12 feet in 
width, and seven orcight in height. 
Here it is suffered to lie exposed 
to the action of the air and moist- 
ure until a spontaneous combus- 
tion takes place, and the whole 
heap is converted from the sulphu- 
ret to the sulphate of iron, which 
usually takes several weeks. After 
the process of burning is comple- 
ted, the residue is removed to the 
leaches, where water is passed 
through it which dissolves the cop- 
peras and leaves the earthy matter 
behind. The water is then con- 
veyed to the boilers, which are 
made of lead, and weigh about 



2, .500 pounds each. Here it i.« 
boiled anil evaporated to a certain 
extent, and sulfered partially to 
cool. It is then transferred to the 
crystalizers, where the copperas 
continues to crystalize, while cool- 
ing, and when the crystalization 
ceases, the water is again returned 
to the boilers, mixed with water 
from the leaches, and again evapo- 
rated." 

Stratford, N. H. 

Coos CO. This town lies on the 
E. bank of Connecticut river, 16 
miles above Lancaster. The town 
is large, extending 10 miles on the 
river, with a fertile intervale of 1-4 
to 1 mile wide. This meadow is 
skirted in many places by a narrow 
plain, succeeded by the mountain- 
ous regions, covering the \vliole E. 
and N. divisions of the town. The 
soil, except along the river, is rocky, 
gravelly and cold. The Peaks, 
two mountains of a conical form, 
situated in the S. E. part of the 
town, are seen at a great distance. 
They are discovered immediately 
on entering Dalton,30 miles below, 
and stand as land marks in front or 
to the right, till, on nearer approach, 
they are lost behind the intervening 
hills. Bog brook and several small- 
er streams, here fall into the Con- 
necticut ; and Nash's stream cross- 
es the S. E. part of the town into 
the Amonoosuck. There is a pond 
in the S. E. part of the town, the 
waters of which pass into the Amo- 
noosuck. Stratford was incorpora- 
ted in 1779. Population, in 1830, 
413. 

Thomas Burnside, of this town, 
was one of Rogers' Rangers in the 
French war. Some years after- 
wards, he was desirous of becoming 
a justice of the peace. He procur- 
ed Colonel Barr to assist his views, 
and carrying with him, by his di- 
rection, as a present, a t'lrkin of 
butter and a piece of linen, waited 
upon Gov. SV'entworth, at Ports- 
mouth. He stated to the governor 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



that the inhabitants of his town 
could not live peaceably any longer 
without a magistrate. The gover- 
nor enquired how many inhabitants 
belonged to the town, and who was 
the fittest man for the office. Thom- 
as answered that himself and his 
neighbor w eve the only inhabitants, 
and himself the only man qualified 
for the appointment ; for his neigh- 
bor was no more lit for a justice of 

the peace than the d 1 was. The 

governor gave him his commission, 
and was highly amused with the 
singularity of the application. 

Stratforel, Ct. 

Fairfield co. This town was first 
settled in 1639, by persons from 
Boston, Roxbury and Concord, 
Mass. and \V ethersfield, Ct. Its 
Indian name was Cupheag. 

Stratford is about 6 miles in 
length from north to south, and its 
breadth from cast to west is be- 
tween 2 and 3 miles. It is bound- 
ed north by Huntington, west by 
Trumbull and Biidgepoi-t, east by 
the Housatonick, dividing it from 
Milford, and south by Long Island 
Sound. The central part of tlie 
town is 13 miles S. W. from New- 
Haven, and S E. by N. from Fair- 
field. The township is mostly level 
and free from stone, and there is a 
very rich alluvial tract of mead- 
ows on the river and harbor. The 
principal street in the town, is one 
mile in length, running north and 
south, parallel to the Housatonick; 
it is level, pleasant, and ornament- 
ed with shade trees. On this street, 
and others, in the immediate vi- 
cinity, there are about 200 dwell- 
ing houses, and 4 houses for pub- 
lic worship. 

This place lies at the mouth of 
Housatonick river, and has consid- 
erable inland and coasting trade. 
Stratford Point, jutting out into 
the Sound, is very pleasant, and a 
noted landing place for passengers. 

Gen. David Wooster, was a 
native of this town, and was born 



in 1711. He was a brave and good 
officer, an ardent patriot, and in his 
various public and private relations, 
sustained a character distinguished 
for integrity, benevolence and vir- 
tue. He was mortally wounded in 
a skirmish with the 13ritish troops, 
at the time of their incursion to 
Daubury, in 1777. 

Sti-atliam, N. H. 

Rockingham CO. This town lies 39 
miles S. E. by E. from Concord, 3 E. 
N. E. from Exeter, and is situated 
on the E. side of the W. branch of 
the Piscataqua river. Stratham is 
distant about 8 miles from the sea. 
The land is even, and well calcu- 
lated for agricultural purposes. 
Farming is so exclusively the em- 
ployment of the people, that al- 
though a navigable river adjoins it, 
there is little attention given to any 
other pui-suit. In the east part of 
the town, in a swamp, is perhaps 
the largest repository of peat in the 
state. Tliis town was a pai-t of the 
Squamscot patent, or Hilton's pur- 
chase. It was made a town by 
charter, March 20, 1716. Popula- 
tion, in 1830, S38. 

Strattoii, Vt. 

Windham co. A mountainous 
township in the west part of the 
county, 18 miles N. E. from Ben- 
nington, and 22 N. VV. from Brat- 
tleborough. Branches of Deerfield 
and Winhall livers rise here from 
two ponds. The soil is cold and 
generally unprofitable. Popula- 
tion, 1830, 312. 

Strong, Me. 

Franklin co. This excellent 
township lies on both sides of Sandy 
river, 45 miles N. W. from Augus- 
ta, and bounded South by Farming- 
ton. Population, in 1837, 1,091. 
There is a large body of intervale 
land on the Sandy, very fertile and 
productive. Strong contains a 
pleasant and flourishing village, 
some mills on the stream, and sev- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



eral very beautiful ponds. In Por- 
tcr'.s pond, about two miles long, 
a salmon tiout was taken, which 
weighed twenty seven and a half 
pounds. 

Strong was incorporated in ISOl, 
and named in lionor of Calkb 
Strong, LL. D., formerjy a 
Senator to Congress, from Massa- 
chusetts, and {-overnor of tiiat state 
9 years. lie (iied at Northani])!oii, 
Mass., his native town, Nov. 7, 
1819, aged 74 years. 

Stiirljridge, Msss. 

Worcester co. This is a very 
pleasant town, and is well watered 
by Quinel)Qug river. It lies 60 
miles W. S. W. from Boston, and 
18 S. W. from Worcester. Incor- 
porated, 17-33. Population, 1830, 
1,()8S ; 1837, 2,004. The surface of 
the town is uneven and hilly, and 
the soil hard to subdue ; but it has 
become productive by good man- 
agement. Theie are some good 
fish ponds in the town, which serve 
to swell the Quinebaug. There 
are 6 cotton mills in Sturbridge and 
manufactures of boots, shoes, leath- 
er, chairs, cabinet ware, clothing, 
palm-leaf hats, trunks harnesses, 
chairs, wagons, sleighs and pocket 
rifles; total value, the year ending 
April 1, 1837, $182,415. 

Success, X. II. 

Coos CO. There are several con- 
siderable mountains in this tract, 
and two or three ponds. Narmar- 
cungawack and Live rivers rise 
here, and pass westerly into the 
Androscoggin. Success was grant- 
ed Feb. 12, 1773, to Benjamin 
Mackay and others ; and is 143 
miles N. by E. from Concord. Pop- 
ulation, 1S30, 14. 

Sudbury, Vt. 

Rutland CO. A part of Ilubbards- 
fon.and Hinkum's ponds lie in this 
town, neither of which, nor Otter 
Creek, vvliich passes through the 
eastern part, produce any consider- 



able water privileges. The soil is 
generally a warm loam and produc- 
tive : the surface is elevated, and, in 
the centre of the town, mountain- 
ous. There are about 5,500 sheep 
in the town. Sudbury is 43 miles 
S. W. from Montpelier, 47 S. by E. 
from Burlington, and 17 N. W. from 
Rutland. Population, 1830, 812. 

Sjitlbury River, Mass. 

This river rises in Hopkinton 
and its neighborhood, and after 
passing Framingham, Natick, Sud- 
bury, Waybnd and Lincoln, it 
joins the Assabet at Concord. 

Sudbury, Mass. 

Middlesex co. This ancient 
town is situated on the west side 
of a river of the same name, 19 
miles W. by N. from Boston, and 
S S. W. from Concord. Popula- 
tion, 1837, 1,388. It is watered by 
a small stream, a bi'auch of Sudbu- 
ry river. There is a paper mill 
in the town, a plough factory, and 
manufactui-es of boots and shoes; 
annual value about !j^20,()00. 

Sudbury was first settled in 1635. 
In l(i7(j, about 70 men, on theii 
march for the relief of Marlbo- 
rough, fell into an ambuscade with 
the Indians: twenty six of the En- 
glish were left dead on the field ; 
the residue were captured, and ma- 
ny of them afterwards tortured and 
slain. West of Sudbury causeway, 
is a monument erected to their 
memory, by president Wadsworth, 
of Harvard College, a son of the 
Captain of the Band. 

Suffield, Ct. 

Hartford co. Suffield lies on the 
west side of Connecticut river, and 
is bounded N. by Massachusetts, to 
which stale it was attached until 
1752. This territory, 8 by 5 miles, 
was purchased about the year 1()70, 
of two Indian Chiefs, for one hun- 
dred dollars. The surface on the 
banks of the river, are elevated, 
and although the town is without 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



mucli alluvial meadow, the soil be- 
ing of a strong deep loam, is very 
fertile, and productive. Suffield 
contains some of the best farms in 
the state. It lies 16 miles N. from 
Hartford, and 10 S. from Spring- 
field. Population 1S30, 2,690. 

The principal village is pleas- 
antly located on rising ground ; it 
contains many handsome buildings ; 
it is the site of the " Connecticut 
Literary Institution," and com- 
mands delightful views of the riv- 
er and circumjacent country. 

Gideon Granger, post master 
general of the United States from 
1801 to 1814, was born in Suffield, 
in 1767. He died at Canandaigua, 
N. Y., in 1822. 

Oliver Phelps, Esq., " a man 
of extraordinary enterprise and ex- 
tensive business, was for many 
years a resident of this (own. He 
was the 'maker of his own fortunes.' 
He was a native of Windsor, but 
was bred in this town, and received 
a mercantile education. He en- 
gaged in business in Granville, 
Mass., and soon became a very en- 
terprising, sagacious and successful 
trader. During the revolutionary 
war, he was employed by the state 
of Massachusetts, in the commis- 
sary department. Whilst in this 
situation, his transactions were of 
a most extensive and responsible 
nature, and his own paper formed 
a kind of circulating medium. Af- 
terwards he purchased a large es- 
tate, and returned to this town. In 
1789, he, in connection with the 
Hon. Mr. Gorbam, purchased of 
the commonwealth of Massachu- 
setts, a tract of land in the western 
part of the state of New York, in 
what is commonly called the Gen- 
esee country, comprising 2,200,000 
acres. This is probably the great- 
est land purchase, or speculation, 
ever made by two individuals in the 
United States. This is a very ex- 
cellent tract of land, having a mild 
climate, and fertile soil, and an 
abundance of waters, and is now 



comprised in the extensive counties 
of Ontario and Steuben. In 179.5. 
Mr. Phelps, together with William 
Hart and theii- associates, purchas- 
ed of Connecticut, the tract of land 
in the state of Ohio, called the 
Western Reserve, comprising 3,- 
300,000 acres." 

Suffolk County, Mass. 

See Boston a.nd Chelsea. 

Sugar River, IV. H. 

This river originates from Suna- 
pee Lake ; it passes through part of 
Wendell, the whole of Newport, 
and nearly through the centre of 
Claremont, where it meets the Con- 
necticut. Red Water brook, in 
Claremont, is a tributary of Sugar 
river. 

Sullivan, Me. 

Hancock co. This maritime 
town is situated at the head of 
Frenchman's bay, 93 miles E. from 
Augusta, and 17 E. bv S. from 
Ellsworth. Population 'lS37, 611. 
Sullivan has mill privileges, and is 
linely located for ship building, and 
other branches of business connec- 
ted with navigation. 

This town was incorporated in 
1789, and received its name in hon- 
or of John Sullivan, LL. D.. 
a major general in the revolution- 
ary war; afterwards member of 
congress, president of New Hanjp- 
shire, and district Judge of the U. 
S. Court. He was born in Maine, 
and died in New Hampshire, 1795. 

James Sullivan, LI^. D., a 
brother of Gen. Sullivan, was born 
at Berwick, in 1744. He early es- 
poused the cause of his country, 
and sustained the offices of member 
of the provincial congress, attorney 
general and governor of IVIassachu- 
setts, with great talents and faith- 
fulness. 

He died w'nile governor, in 1808, 
at a period of great political excite- 
ment, honored and beloved by all 
parties. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



Sullivan County, X. II. 

JVewport, chief town. This 
county is bounded N. by Gr.ifton 
county, E. by Meriirn;ick and a part 
of I"Iillsboroui;h counlios, S. by 
Cheshire county, and \V. by Con- 
necticut river, or the state of Ver- 
mont. It was taken from Cheshire 
county in 1827, and contains an 
area of about 533 square miles. 
Population, 1S30, 19,687. Popula- 
tion to a square mile, 37. The sur- 
face of the county is elevated, but 
not mountainous: Croydon moun- 
tain is the highest. 

Along the streauis, particularly 
on Connecticut river, the soil is 
rich and exceedingly productive. 
The uplands produce good grain, 
and aflbi-d excellent pasturage for 
cattle, of which many are ixMi-cd 
for market. Although this is the 
smallest county in the state; in 1837, 
it had 71,07() sheep, whose wool, 
being partly Saxony, would aver- 
age as good as full blood Merino. 

Besides the Connecticut, which 
waters its whole western fronuer, 
the AsliucIot,Cold, Sugar, Little Su- 
gar rivers, and other streams furnish 
the county with an abundant water 
power, and Sunapee Lake and nu- 
merous ponds give beauty to its 
otherwise varied and picturesque 
scenery. 

Sullivan, A". H. 

Chesliire co. The distance from 
Keene is 6 miles, from Concord, 42 
W. S. W. The S. E. part of this 
town is watered by Ashuelot river. 
.This town was incor|)orate(l in 1787, 
and received its name IVoni Presi- 
dent Sullivan, the cliiof magistrate 
of N. IT. that year. Population in 
1830, .5.">5. 

Sumner, 2tle. 

Oxford CO. Thi's town is well 
watered by a branch of Andros- 
coecin river; it has a fine soil, and 
produced in 1837, 7,1M bushels of 
wheat. It lies 44 miles W. from 



Augusta, and 8 N. from Paris. 
Popukition, 1837,1,190. 

This town derived its name from 
Inciie.\.se Sumner, who was 
governor of Massachusetts in 1798, 
when the town was incorporated. 
Gov. Sumner was a native of Rox- 
bury, Mass. He died in 1799, aged 
52 years. 

Sunayee Lake, 3V. H. 

This lake is situated in the W. 
part of Merrimack county, and the 
E. part of Sullivan, in the towns of 
Wendell, New London and New- 
bury. It is 9 miles long, and about 
1 1-2 miles in width. Its outlet is 
on the W. side through Sugar riv- 
er. The waters of this lake are 
more than 800 feet higher than the 
Connecticut or Merrimack, at the 
nearest points. 

Suncook River, N. H. 

This river rises in a pond be- 
tween Giimanton and Gilford, near 
the summit of one of the Suncook 
mountains, elevated 900 feet above 
its base. The water from this pond 
passes through two others at the 
foot of the mountains, and thence 
through a flourishing village in the 
S. E. part of Giimanton, into Barn- 
stead, where it i-cceives several 
tributaries; thence through Pitts- 
ficld and Epsom, and between Al- 
Icnstown and Pembi-oke, into the 
Merrimack. 

Sunderland, Vt. 

Bennington co. This town was 
first settled in 1765. It lies 87 miles 
S. S. W. from Montpelier, and 15 
N. by E. from Bennington. Popu- 
lation, 1830, 463. The town is 
watered by several ponds. Batten- 
kill rivci- and Roaring brook. There 
is some fine land along the streams, 
in Sunderland, excellent mill sites, 
and lead ore in granular limestone. 

Sunderland, Mass. 

Franklin co. This town lies on 
the east side of Connecticut riv- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



er, 90 miles W. from Boston, and 
9 S. by E. from Greenfield. It was 
taken from Hadley in 1718. Pop- 
ulation, 1S37, 729. The settlement 
in this town is principally on a 
street running parallel with the 
river. Between the street and the 
river is a tract of fertile meadow : 
on the other side of the village is a 
more elevated plain, and back of 
that. Mount Toby rears its lofty 
front. This mountain is composed 
of pudding stone, and the small 
stones within it are round and 
smooth as though washed by the 
ocean ; they are of various sizes, 
and of every color. On one side is 
a cavern 60 feet deep ; and many 
other ruptures seem to indicate some 
great change in this mountain since 
its formation. This village is vei-y 
pleasant, and the scenery around it 
is of a fascinating character. The 
people here are good farmers, and 
are noted for their good schools and 
philanthropic disposition. 

SunUIiaze, Me. 

Sunlihaze stream meets the Pe- 
nobscot, from the east, about 15 
miles above Old Town village, in 
Orono. The plantation of Sunk- 
liaze lies on this stream, 82 miles 
N. E. from Augusta. The popula- 
tion of the plantation, in 1830, was 
250. 

Surry, Me. 

Hancock co. Surry lies on tlie 
W. side of Union river, 6 miles S. 
from Ellsworth, and 87 E. by N. 
from Augusta. 

This town is accommodated with 
navigable privileges, and water 
power of superior excellence. — 
There are some manufactures in 
the town, but the inhabitants are 
generally independent farmers. — 
Many of the farms are rendered 
very fertile by an inexhaustible bed 
of shell marl, of a very fine qual- 
ity. Incorporated, 1803. Popula- 
tion, 1830, 561 ; 1S37, 735. j 



Surry, N. H. 

Cheshire co. This town lies 54 
miles S. W. from Concord, and 6 
N. W. from Keene. It is watered 
by Ashuelot river, on which there 
is a tract of valuable meadow 
land, extending almost the whole 
length of the town. On the east 
side of Ashuelot river is a steep 
and high mountain, on the summit 
of which is a pond of about 3 acres 
in extent, and about 25 feet depth 
of water. 

Surry was originally a part of 
Gilsum and Westnioreland. It was 
incorporated in 1769, deriving its 
name from /Swjc?/ in England. The 
first settlement was made in 1764, 
by Peter Hayward. Population, 
1830, 539. 

Sutton, N. H. 

Merrimack co. This town lies 
25 miles W. N. W. from Concord. 
The southerly and largest branch 
of Warner I'iver enters this town on 
the south, runs a short distance, 
and passes oft' into Warner again. 
The northerly branch of this river 
runs nearly through the centre of 
the town from noj(h to south, and 
aftbrds several good mill seats. Ste- 
vens' brook, another considerable 
blanch of Warner river, has its 
source on the W. side of Kearsarge, 
and runs about 4 miles in this town, 
in a S. E. direction. There is also 
a large branch of Blackwater riv- 
er, which has its source about the 
westein confines of Kearsarge, and 
flows through this town in a N. 
E. course about 3 miles. On the 
margin of this stream, there is some 
lich meadow and intervale land. 
There are several ponds, the most 
iniporlnnt of which are Kezar's 
pond, situated towards the N. part 
of the town, which is about 190 
rods square ; and Long pond, situa- 
ted at the south part of the town. 
Kearsarge mountain extends more 
than lialf the length of Sutton ou 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEKR. 



the E. side. King's Hill is situated 
oil the W. part of Sutton. On the 
most elevated part of this liill, which 
rises within a few feet as high as 
Kearsarge, there is one of the most 
extensive landscape views in the 
country. On the W. is seen the 
Sunapee lake, the Ascutney, and 
highlands in Vermont to the Green 
mountains ; on the S. tlie Sunapee 
and Monadnock ; on the E. you 
almost ovei-iook Kearsarge, and on 
the north the Cardigan and White 
hills. 

Sutton wz-i granted in 1749. It 
was called Perrys-town, from Oba- 
«iiah Perry, one of its original and 
principal pro])rietors. The first 
settlement was made in 1767. Pop- 
ulation, \S?,Q, 1,124. 

On the W. bank of Kezar's pond, 
were several acres of laud, which 
M.pi)eared to have been cleared of 
their original forests. Here were 
found several Indian liearths, laid 
with stone, and with much skill and 
ingenuity. Here was found an 
Indian burial place. Gun barrels 
and arrows have been found in this 
sacred repository. Near the pond, 
have been found stone pestles, mor- 
tars and tomahawks. 

Sutton, Vt. 

Caledonia CO. This town is wa- 
tered by several ponds and by 
branches of Passumpsic river. It 
lies 3S miles N. E. from Montpe- 
lier,. and 1.3 N. from Danville. First 
settled, 1791. Population, 1830, 

i,no.5. 

The surface of the town is level, 
and in some parts so low as to ren- 
der the soil cold and unproduc- 
tive. 

Sutton, Mass. 

Worcester co. This is a very 
pleasant and flourishing town, 44 
miles W. by S. from I'oston, and 9 
S. by E. from Worcester. Incorpo- 
rated, 1715. Population, 1830, 
2,186; 1837, 2,457. 

Sutton is watered by IMackstone 

35* 



river, and the Blackstone canal 
passes througii the town. There 
arc in the town four cotton and two 
woolen mills, two scythe factories, 
and manufactures of boots, shoes, 
shuttles and spindles: total value, 
the year ending April 1, 1837, 
$309,578. 

The surface of the town is agree- 
ably diversified, and the soil capa- 
ble of producing good ci-ops. Gran- 
ite and soapslone are abundant. 
" Purgatory Cavern,'" in this town, 
is a great curiosity. It is a tissure 
in gneiss, nearly half a mile long, 
in most parts partially filled by the 
masses of rock that have been de- 
tached from the walls. The sides 
are often perpendicular, and some- 
times 70 feet high ; being separated 
from each other about 50 feet. 

Swanzey, ST. H. 

Cheshire co. This town lies 6 
miles S. from Keene, and 60 S. 
W. from Concord. The principal 
streams are the Asliuelot and the 
South Branch rivers. The former 
passes through Swanzey in a S. W. 
direction, and empties into the Con- 
necticut at Hinsdale. This is a 
stream of much iuipoilauce, and is 
made navigable for boats as far up 
as Kecne, excepting a carrying 
place about the rapids at Winches- 
ter. The South Branch unites 
with the Ashuelot about one mile 
north from the centre of the town. 
The surface here is somewhat di- 
versified with hills, valleys, and 
swells of upland. There is one 
pond in the S. W. j)art of the town, 
the ^oui'ce of the South Branch. 
There is a mineral spring, the wa- 
ter of which is impi-egnated with 
sulphate of iron. Some iron ore 
has been discovered. Here are 2 
cotton factories, 1 cotton and woolen 
factory, and other machinery. 

Swanzey was first granted by 
Massachusetts, in 1733. After the 
divisional line was run, it wa* 
granted in 1753, by New Hamp- 
shire. Until that time it had been 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



called Lower Asliuelot, from tlie 
Indian name of the river, which 
was originally Jlshaelock. 

From 1741 to 1747, this town suf- 
fered much from Indian depreda- 
tions. Sevei-al of the inhabitants 
were killed and many were made 
prisoners. After Massachusetts 
withdrew her protection, the set- 
tlers collected together their house- 
hold furniture, such as chests, ta- 
bles, iron and brass ware, and con- 
cealed it in the ground, covering 
the place of concealment with 
leaves, trees, &c., and left their 
plantation to the disposition of the 
Indians, who were not tardy in set- 
ting fire to their forts, which, with 
every house except one, they re- 
duced to ashes. Most of the peo- 
ple went to their former places of 
residence in Massacliusetts. They 
returned about three years after- 
wards, and nothing about their for- 
mer habitation was to be seen, but 
ruin and desolation. Population, 
1830, 1,S16. 

Swaiizey, JMass. 

Bristol CO. This town lies be- 
tween Somerset, and Bristol, R. I. 
An arm of Mount Hope bay sets 
up some miles into the town, on 
which is some navigation and ship 
building. 

There are two paper mills, a cot- 
ton and a woolen mill in the town, 
and manufactures of vessels, boots 
and shoes: annual value, about 
$50,000. 

Swnnzey is a very pleasant town, 
and is interesting as the scene of 
much savage aggression. Here it 
was that Philip commenced his war, 
in 1675, by. plunder and murder. 
It lies 46 mi'es S. by V/. from Bos- 
ton, and 14 S. W. by S. from Taun- 
ton. Incorporated, 1667. Popula- 
tion, 1837, 1,627. 

S'lvauton, Vt. 

Franklin co. This township is 



situated on the ^st side of Lake 
Champlain, opposite to North Hero 
and Alburgh. It is 50 miles N. W. 
fiom Montpelier, 28 N. from Bur- 
lington, and is bounded by St. Al- 
bans on the south, and Highgate on 
the north. Population, 1830, 2,158. 
Swanton was lirst .settled by the 
whites in 1787. At that time the 
St. Francois Indians had about fift)' 
cabins here, and large plantations of 
corn. 

Missisque river passes through 
Swanton, and fertilizes a considera- 
ble portion of its territory. This 
river is navigable for lake vessels to 
Swanton falls, six miles from its 
mouth. These falls descend twen- 
ty feet, and, with other smaller 
streams, give to Swanton a water 
power of great value. 

Bog iron ore is found in this town, 
and an abundance of beautiful mar- 
ble. This marble is of various col- 
ors, and large quantities of it is 
wrought into all desired patterns, 
polished, and transpoited. 

The surface and soil of the town 
is favorable to agricultural pursuits, 
with the exception of a part border- 
ing the lake, which is low, wet and 
cold; and which is the favorite 
abode, in summer, of wild geese, 
ducks and other water fowls. 

The village of Swanton is pleas- 
antly located, and is the site of a 
number of manufactories, and of 
an increasing trade from the inte- 
rior country, and to New York and 
Canada. 

Swanton may boast of the pui'ity 
of its air and water, and of « Wal- 
ter Scott, who died in 1815, aged 
110 years. 

S^vanville, Me. 

Waldo CO. This town lies 8 miles 
N. from Belfast, and 46 E. by N. 
from Augusta. It was incorpora- 
ted 'in 1818. It is watered by 
Paasaggassawakeag lake and river, 
and possesses a pleasant surface and 
fertile soil. Population, 1837, 794. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



Wlieat crop, same year, 2,556 bush- 
els. 

Sweden, Me. 

Oxford CO. The waters fiom Ke- 
zer pond ia Lovell, pass through 
this town, and give it mill privi- 
leges. Sweden lies 9 miles N. E. 
from Fryeburg, 19S.\V. from Paris, 
and 62 W. 8. W. from Augusta. 
Inporporatctl, ISl.*?. Population, in 
1837, 621 . Wheat crop, same year, 
1,485 bushels. 

S^vift Rivers. 

Swift river, in Maine, is a brancli 
of the Andi'oscoggin, from the N. 
These rivers unite at Mexico. 

Swift river, in JVew Jfinnpshire, 
rises among the mountains in the 
ungrantcd lands N. W. of Albany, 
and passes through the town from 
west to east with great rapidity, and 
falls into the Saco in Conway. Its 
whole course is rapid, and in one 
place it falls .30 feet in the distance 
of G rods, through a channel in tlie 
solid rock of about 12 feet wide — 
the sides being from 10 to 30 feet 
perpendicular height. At the up- 
per part of these falls, are found 
several circular holes worn perpen- 
diculai-ly into the rock, several feet 
in depth and from 6 inches to 2 feet 
in diameter. There is another small 
river in Tamworth of the same 
name. 

Swift river, in Massachiisetts, 
rises in a pond in New Salem : it 
passes through the towns of Pres- 
cott, Greenwich and Belchertovvn, 
and joins the Chickopee at Palmer. 

Tamworth, N. H. 

Strafford co. This town is situa- 
ted on the post road from Concord 
to Portland, about 58 miles from 
each, and 30 N. from Gilfoid. 

There is no mountain situated 
wholly in this town. On the N. 
are the mountains of Albany, and 
the S. the line crosses a part of Os- 
sipec mountain. The mountains to 
the N. have a romantic and pictur- 



esque appearance. The town lies 
in ridges and valleys, generally 
rocky and fertile. The principal 
rivers are Bearcamp, which passes 
through the town in an easterly di- 
rection, and discharges its waters 
into Ossipee lake ; Swift river, 
which ri-es near the N. W. corner 
of the town, and passing through 
its centre, mingles its waters with 
the Bearcani]) ; and Conway river, 
proceeding from Conway pond, near 
Albany ; and crossing the S. line 
of Tamworth, near the S. E. corner 
of the town, near which it empties 
into Bearcamp I'iver. By these 
rivers, and other small streams, the 
town is uncommonly well watered. 
On these streams is a great number 
of excellent mill piivileges. Tam- 
worth was granted in 1766, -and 
was settled in 1771. Population, 
1830, 1,554. 

TariiTville, Ct. 

See Simsbury. 

Taiiglikannic Mountains. 

This range of mountains skirt the 
western boi-der of New England, 
and separate the waters of the 
Housatonick and Hudson. 

Taunton River, 

This river rises in the county of 
Plymouth, Mass., and falls info 
Mount Hope Bay. The Taunton 
and its branches, water the towns 
of Abington, Hanson, Halifax, and 
Plympton, all the Bridgewaters, 
Raynham, Taunton, Berkley, Digh- 
ton, Freetown, Fall river, Somer- 
set and Swansey. It is navigable 
to Taunton, for small vessels, and 
with its contemplated improve- 
ments, steam boats will be enabled 
to run to Taunton, and thus become 
another cliannci of conveyance be- 
tween Boston and New York. This 
river is celebrated for the great and 
widely distributed water power it 
produces, and foi- the multitude of 
alewives within its waters. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



Taiintoii, Mass. 

One of the chief towns in Bristol 
CO. This very beautiful town i; sit- 
uated at the junction of Canoe, 
Rumford and Taunton livers, and 
possesses an excellent water power. 
There is some excellent land in this 
town, and its proprietors display 
much taste in its cultivation. The 
business of the place is, however, 
rather in manufactures than agri- 
culture. There are 8 cotton mills 
and a print works, in the town ; also 
a paper mill, 3 nail factories, a forge, 
a furnace, and manufactures of 
boots, shoes, leather, hats, chairs, 
brick, vessels, straw bonnets, and 
britannia, stone and cabinet wares: 
total value of the manufactui'es, the 
year ending April 1, 1837, exclu- 
sive of cloth printing and ii-on cast- 
ings, ^1,425,552. The number of 
hands employed in these manufac- 
tures was 1,303. There is some 
navigation owned in this town, 
which is employed in the coastwise 
trade, and domestic fishery. 

The manufacture of britannia 
ware at this place, is of recent ori- 
gin in this country, and proves suc- 
cessful. The articles manufactur- 
ed, are tea sets, castors, urns, and 
all the varieties of that description 
of ware. The quality of the metal, 
and beauty of the polish of this 
ware, is said to equal any import- 
ed from " Britannia." 

The village contains a large num- 
ber of handsome public and piivate 
buildings, tastefully located around 
a beautiful enclosure, called "Taun- 
ton Green." This public walk 
is ornamented with trees, which 
heightens the beauty of this de- 
lightful village. 

Taunton is 32 miles S. from Bos- 
ton, 20 E. by N. from Providence, 
and 32 N. E. from Newport. A 
rail road connects this town with 
Boston. Population, 1320, 4,520; 
1S30, G,042; 1837, 7, 147. 

The settlement of this place com- 
menced in 1637. Its principal 



founder was Miss Elizabeth Poole. 
The following is on her grave stone : 

" Here rest the remains of Elizabeth 
Poole, a native of Old England, of 
good family, friends, and prospects, 
all which she left in the prime of her 
life, to enjoy the religion of her con- 
science, in this distant wilderness ; a 
great proprietor of the township of 
Taunton, a chief promoter of its set- 
tlement, and its incorporation in 1639 
— 10 5 about which time she settled 
near this spot, and having employed 
tlie opportunity of her virgin state in 
piety, liberality, and sanctity of man- 
ners, died May 21, 1G61, aged G5.'' 

Temiscouata Lake, Me. 

See Madawaska River. 

Temple, Me. 

Franklin co. This was formerly 
a part of Kennebec county. It lies 
40 miles N. N. W. from Augusta, 
and is bounded N. by Farmington. 
It was incorporated in 1803. Pop- 
ulation, 1837, 871. Wheat crop, 
same year, 5,798 bushels. 

Temple, N. H. 

Hillsborough co. Temple is 12 
miles W. bv S. from Amherst, and 
40 S. S. W. from Concord. The 
several streams which empty in- 
to Souhegan river at Wilton, rise 
among the mountainous tracts on 
the W.,and generally from sources 
within the limits of Temple. This 
town is of considerable elevation. 
The prospect towards the E. and S. 
is very extensive, and presents a 
rich and diversified scenery. From 
the highest point of elevation, in a 
clear atmosphere, about 20 meeting 
houses may he seen by the naked 
eye. The surface is uneven and 
pleasant. The soil is tolerably 
good. Temple is the easterly part 
of what was called Peterborough 
Slip. It was incorporated in 1768. 
Population, in 1830,641. 

Templeton, Mass. 

Worcester co. Several streams, 
affording good mill seats, water this 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEEU. 



town, and pass to tlic Connecticut, 
by Miller's and Cliickopee rivers. 
The surface of the town is uneven, 
but not mountainous; the elevated 
parts alford good pasturage, and the 
valleys, excellent ciops of grain 
and hay. The manufactures con- 
sist of woolen goods, boots, shoes, 
leather, iron castings, shovels, hoes, 
spades, forks, palm leaf hats, chairs, 
carriages, and cabinet, tin and wood- 
en wares: value, the year ending 
April 1, 1837, $115,100. The vil- 
lage is very pleasantly located, and 
presents some beautiful landscapes. 
This town lies GO miles W. N. W. 
from Boston, and 26 N. N. W. from 
Worcester. Incorporated in 1762. 
Population, 1837, 1,690. 

Tc-\vksl>iiry, Mass. 

Middlesex CO. The Indians call- 
ed this place IVamesit. It lies on 
the south side of Merrimack river, 
19 miles N. W. by W. from Boston, 
and 6 E. S. E. from Lowell. Incor- 
porated, 1734. Population, 1S37, 
907. The surface of the town is 
level, and the soil light and sandy. 

Tliames River, Ct. 

This river is formed by the union 
of Quinebaug, Shctucket and Yan- 
tic rivers, near Norwich, and is 
navigable from that place to New 
London, 14 miles. The banks of 
this river are romantic and beauti- 
ful, and possess great interest, as 
the residence of the once powerful, 
noble hearted and brave Mohegans. 

Thatcher's Island, Mass. 

See Gloucester. 

Thetfor<l, Vt. 

Orange co. Tliis town is pleas- 
antly situated on the west side of 
Connecticut river, opposite to Lyme, 
N. H. The Ompomponoosuc and 
its branches, give the town an ex- 
cellent water power. There are 
several ponds in Thetford, one of 
which is worthy of notice. It cov- 
ers about 9 acres, and is situated on 



an elevation, the base of whicli is 
only 4 rods from Connecticut river, 
and 100 feet in height. It is very 
deej) ; it has neither inlet or outlet, 
and contains large quantities of 
perch and oilier lish. The surface 
of the town is generally rocky and 
uneven; it has but little intervale, 
but the soil is .strong and productive. 
It feeds between 7 and S, 000 slicep. 
There are some manufactures in 
the town, a rich vein of galena, and 
three neat villages. Thetford was 
first settled in 1761. It lies 34 miles 
S. S. E. fioui Montpelier, and IS S. 
E. from Chelsea. Population, in 
1830, 2,113. 

Thoinaston, Me. 

Lincoln co. This is a very tlour- 
ishing maritime town, situated be- 
tween the western entrance of Pe- 
nobscot Bay and St. Georges' river, 
and comprises the celebrated penin- 
sula of OwVs Head. It lies 36 
miles S. E. from Augusta, 37 ?]. 
from Wiscasset, and is bounded N. 
W. by Warren. Incorporated, 1777. 
Population, in 1820, 2,651 ; 1830, 
4,221 ; 1837, 5,272. 

Thomaston is the site of tlie State 
prison, which is located on the 
i)ank of the St. George. The build- 
ings occupy a plat of 10 acres, in- 
cluding a marble quarry; they are 
all of stone, and are surrounded by 
a high stone wall. The convicts 
arc principally employed in cutliug 
granite into various forms for build- 
ing, and which, when prepared, is 
tran -ported by water. The granite 
is of an excellent quality, and is 
found in large quantities on the 
river. 

Thomaston is a place of consider- 
able maritime commerce and ship 
building; but the most important 
business of its people, is the quar- 
rying and burning of lime, from 
inexhaustible ledges of limestone 
within its limits. There are annu- 
ally made at this place, no less than 
350,000 casks of lime, the same in 
quality and reputation as that pre- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



pared at Camden, 10 miles distant. 

This manufacture, united witli 
those of granite and marble, give 
constant employment (o a large 
number of men and vessels. 

Thomaston is a beautiful Atlantic 
town, and commands a great variety 
of marine scenery. 

Thompson, Ct. 

Windliam co. This town lies 47 
miles E. N. E. from Hartford, 14 
N. from Brooklyn, 27 W. N. W. 
from Providence, R. I., and 53 S. 
W. from Boston. It is bounded N. 
by Massachusetts, and E. by Rhode 
Island. It was foinicrly a part of 
Killingly, and was first settled 
about the year 1715. The surface 
of the town is hilly, but not moun- 
tainous : it presents a pleasing va- 
riety of elevations and valleys. 
The soil is a gravelly loam, strong, 
and productive of good crops of 
corn and hay, and affords excellent 
pasturage. French river meets the 
Quinnebaug near the centre of the 
town, and Five Mile river, issuing 
from several ponds, waters the east- 
ern part. These streams give to 
the town a valuable water power, 
and on their banks are the pleasant 
and thriving villages of Masonsville, 
Fishersville and New Boston. 
These are manufacturing villages, 
and contain 10 cotton and woolen 
mills, and a number of other manu- 
factures. This town is large, and 
very pleasant; it contains a class 
of enterprising and intelligent agri- 
culturalists and mechanics. The 
population of Thompson, in 1S37, 
was about 4,100. The Indian name 
of the place was Quinnetessett. 
The plantations of the natives are 
still apparent. 

Thoriidike, Me. 

Waldo CO. This is an agricultural 
town of pleasant surface and fertile 
soil, 59 miles N. E. from Augusta, 
and 17 N. W. from Belfast. " It is 
watered by a branch of Sebasticook 
river. Thorndike was incorpora- 



ted in 1819. Population, 1837, 763. 
Wheat crop, same year, 6,975 
bushels. 

Thornton, N. II., 

Grafton co., is bounded N. by 
Peeling and Lincoln, E. by ungrant- 
ed land, S. by Campton, and W. by 
Ellsworth and Peeling. It is 12 
miles N. from Plymouth, and 58 N. 
by W. from Concord. It is water- 
ed by Pemigewasset river, passing 
through the town from N. to S., by 
Mad river at the S. E. extremity, 
and by several small brooks. On 
Mill brook, there is a cascade, at 
which the water falls 7 feet in 2 
rods, and then falls over a rock 42 
feet perpendicular. The intervales 
on the Pemigewasset are produc- 
tive. There are many elevations, 
but none distinguished for a remark- 
able height. Thornton was grant- 
ed in 1763. It was first settled in 
1770. Tliornton was incorporated 
in 1781. Population, 1830, 1,049. 

Tinmoiith, Vt. 

Rutland co. This town is sepa- 
rated from Wallingfoi-d by Otter 
Creek. Furnace brook rises from 
a pond in the south part of the town, 
and passing through Tinmouth and 
Clarendon, falls into Otter Creek, 
at Rutland. This stream has been 
noted for great quantities of fish of 
a remarkable large size. 

The surface of the town is hilly, 
in some parts mountainous. There 
is some good land on the streams, 
and a large portion of the high land 
is good for the pasturage of sheep, 
of which between 3,000 and 4,000 
are kept. There are several quar- 
ries of beautiful marble in the town, 
iron ore in abundance, and several 
iron works. Tinmouth was first 
settled in 1770. It lies 8 miles S, 
from Rutland. Population, 1830, 
1,049. 

Tishnry, Mass. 

Dukes CO. Tisbuiy lies on the 
north side of Martha's Vineyard, 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



and contain*! tlio noted harbor of 
"Holmes' Hole." This harbor is 
large and safe, and of a sulficient 
depth of water for the lai-gcst mer- 
chantmen. It is much frequented 
by vessels passing; throuiih Vine- 
yard Sound ; particularly when the 
winds are contrary. Krom tliis 
harbor, across the Sound, to Fal- 
mouth, on Cape Cod, is 6 miles. 

A number of small vessels belong 
to this place, and one of 3SS tons 
is employed in the whale fisherj'. 

There are some manufactures of 
salt, boots, shoes, leather, and hats ; 
and, in 1S37, there were 2,655 
sheep in the town. 

Tisbury is 77 miles S. S. E. from 
Boston, 8 W. from Edgarfon, and 
23 S. E. from New Bedfonl. In- 
corporated, 1671. Population, 1S37, 
1,461. 

Tiverton, R. I. 

Newport co. Tiverton i,3 bound- 
ed N. and E. by Massachusetts, S. 
by Little Compton, and W. liy the 
eastern passage into ilount Hope 
and Narragansct bays. It is con- 
nected with Portsmouth, on the isl- 
and of Rhode Island, by a stone 
bridge at a place called " How- 
land's Ferry." 

The surface of the town is varied 
by hills and valleys. Its structure 
is granite, and the lard, in some 
parts, is stony. The soil is princi- 
pally a gravelly loam, and capable 
of producing good crops. There 
are valuable Ibrcsts of timber in 
the town, and a considerable num- 
ber of sheep. 

The navigable privileges of Tiv- 
erton are of a superioi- kind ; and 
are improved, to some extent, in 
the fishery, and foreign and domes- 
tic trade. There are large ponds 
in the town, well supplied with 
fish. These ponds produce a water 
power which is ap|)lied to the man- 
ufacture of cotton and other mate- 
rials. 

This town was attached to Mas- 



sachusetts until 1746. It is 24 miles 
S. E. from Providence, and 13 N. 
E. from Newport. Population, 
1S30, 2,905. 

'I'lic captor of the British Gener- 
al Prescott, was a native of Tiver- 
ton. His name was Tak, a slave, 
the property of Thomas Sisson, a 
wealthy farmer. " During the 
Revolution, Tak was sent by his 
master into the army, to serve as a 
sulistitutc for another man who was 
drafted. When Col. Baiton took 
Gen. Prescott on Long Island, Tak 
was one of Col. Barton's cho«en 
men; and the one on whom he 
most depended. Having entered 
the house where Gen. Prescott 
was quartered. Col. Barton, follow- 
ed by Tak and two or three others, 
proceeded pilcntly to the door of 
the chamber where General Pres- 
cott was sleeping. The colonel 
finding the door fastened, turned 
and wliispering to Tak, ' I wish 
that door opened. General Prescott 
taken, and carried by the guard to 
tlie boat, without the least noise or 
distui'bance.' 

" Tak stepped back two or three 
paces, then plunging violently 
against the door, burst it open, and 
rushed into the miildle of the room. 
At the same instant General Pres- 
cott sprang fi'om his bed and seized 
his gold watch, hanging upon the 
wall. Tak sprang upon him like h. 
tiger, and clasping the general in 
his brawny arms, said in a low, 
stern voice, ' One word, and you 
area dead man!' Then hastily 
snatciiing the gcnei-al's cloak and 
wrapping it round his body, and at 
the same time telling his compan- 
ions to take the rest of his clothes, 
he took the general in his arms, as 
if a child, and ran with him by the 
guard towards the boat, followed by 
Colonel Barton and the rest of his 
little company." 

Tak was more than six feet in 
height, well proportioned, and re- 
markable for his shrewdness, agil- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



ity and strength. He attained 
great age, and was never known to 
taste of any kind of meat. 

Tolland, Mass. 

Hampden co. Tolland is situated 
on the border cf Litchtield county, 
Connecticut, and is watered by the 
upper branch of Farmington i-iver. 
The surface is elevated, but the 
lands are tinely adapted foi- graz- 
ing. 

There are manufactures in the 
town of shovels, spades, forks, 
hoes, and wooden ware; and here 
is a large tannery, but the inliabi- 
tants are chiefly farmers. 

Tolland was incorporated in ISIO. 
Population, 1830, 570. It lies UO 
miles W. S. W. from Boston, and 20 
W. from Springfield. 

Tolland Coiiaty, Ct. 

Tolland is the chief town. This 
county was taken from Hartfoi-d 
and Windham counties in 17SG. It 
is bounded N. by Massachusetts, 
E. by Windham, S. by New Lon- 
don, and W. by Hartford counties. 
Its greatest length fiom N. to S. is 
30 miles. It covers an area of .337 
square miles. Population, 1320, 
14,330; 1330,18,700. Inhabitants 
to a square mile, 56. 

The western part of the county 
laj^s within the great valley of the 
Connecticut: it is generally free 
from stone, undulating, fertile and 
productive : the eastern section is 
within the granitic range which 
extends through the state : much 
of this portion of the county is cov- 
ered with forests; that part vvhicli is 
cleared affords good grazing. In 
1337, there were in the county 
23,096 sheep. The Scantic, Willi- 
mantic, Salmon, Hockanum and 
Hop rivers, with their tiibutaiies, 
aflbrd the county a good water 
power, and manufactures flourish 
within its limits. 

Tolland, Ct. 

Shire town of Tolland county. 



This town has a population of 1,700 
inhabitants, and is situated on the 
nearest mail route from Hartford to 
Boston. Its products are English 
grain, grass, potatoes, &c. It con- 
tains two small woolen manufacto- 
ries, with water power sutScient to 
operate a greater number with cor- 
responding machinery. It lies IS 
miles E. N. E. from Hartford, 17 
N. from Windham, 27 W. N. W. 
from Brooklyn, and 30 N. IVoni Nor- 
wich. The land is rather sterile, 
mountainous and uneven. The in- 
habitants are industrious and intel- 
ligent. 

Topslield, Me. 

AVashington co. This township 
was number eight in the second 
range north of the Bingham Penob- 
scot Purchase. It was incorporated 
in the year 1838. We guess that 
this town lies about 25 miles N. N. 
E. from the mouth of Matav)am- 
keag River. We should like to 
fr7!ou>"how the land lies." See 
" Down East." 

Topsfield, Mass. 

Essex CO. This is a very pleas- 
ant town, watered by Ipswich river 
and its branches. The surface is 
agreeably diversified by hills and 
valleys. There are some fine tracts 
of intervale in the town, and the 
uplands possess a strong soil, ren- 
dered productive by industrious and 
skilful farmers. The principal 
manufacture is that of boots and 
shoes,in which between 500 and 600 
hands are emploved, making annu- 
ally about $100,000 in value. This 
town lies 21 miles N. by E. from 
Boston, and 9 N. by W. from Sa- 
lem. Population, 1837, 1,049. 

Topsfield was first settled about 
the year 1642. It was incorporated 
in 1650. Among the names of the 
first settlers were Peabody, Per- 
kins, Clark, Cummings, Bradstreet, 
Gould, Town, Easty, Smith, and 
AVildes ; many of whose cescend- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



ants now cultivate the soil of their 
progenitors. 

Topsham, Ale. 

One of the shire towns of Lincoln 
CO. Topsham is i)Ieasantly situated 
on the N. side of Androscoggin riv- 
er, opposite to Brunswick. This is 
a good farming town, and, in com- 
mon with Brunswick, enjoys a great 
hydraulic power, and accommoda- 
tions for ship building and naviga- 
tion. It is a place of considerable 
trade, and much lumber is annual- 
ly shipped. 

Topsham was incorporated in 
1764. Population, 1837, 1,77S. 

Topsliam, Vt. 

Orange co. This town is on ele- 
vated ground ; with a rocky, strong 
soil, adapted to grazing. It con- 
tains much granite, and is watered 
by the upper branches of Wait's 
river, which propel a number of 
mills. The town was first settled 
in 1781. Population 1830, 1,3S4. 
It is 19 miles S. E. froui Montpe- 
lier, 47 N. from Windsor, and 15 N. 
E. from Chelsea. 

Torriugton, Ct. 

Litchfield co. This town was 
first settled in 1737. Its surface is 
diversified by hills and valleys, and 
the soil is better adapted to grazing 
than the culture of grain. There 
are many sheep in the town, and 
the products of the dairy are con- 
siderable. Pop\ilation, 1830, 1,6.^4. 

Two branches of Naugatuck riv- 
er meet at TVolcoitville, a beauti- 
ful village, in the Fouth part of the 
town ; 26 miles V/. N. W. from 
Hartford, 40 N. by W. from New 
Haven, and 7 N. by E. from Litch- 
field. This village is situated in a 
valley, and contain? an extensive 
woolen factory, a church, an acad- 
emy, and a number of handsome 
dwelling houses. Near this village, 
a good bed of copper ore has re- 
cently been discovered ; and Mr. 
Israel Coe, the proprietor, has com- 
3G 



menced the manufacture of brass 
kettles, the first establishment of 
the kind, it is believed, in the Uni- 
ted States. 

IVolcottville owes its rise, prin- 
cipally, to Oliveh Wolcott, 
secretary of the United States 
Treasury, during the administra- 
tions of Washington and John Ad- 
ams ; and governor of Connecticut 
10 successive years. He was born 
at Litchfield, and died in New 
York, 1833, aged 74. 

Townseud, Mass. 

Middlesex co. The surface of 
this town is rather level ; some parts 
are pine plains. The soil is gener- 
ally light, but in some sections it is 
productive, particularly of fruit 
trees. It is watered by a branch of 
the Nashua, a beautiful mill stream, 
on which are divers mechanical op- 
erations. "Townsend Harbor," on 
the road from Groton to New Ips- 
wich. N. H., is an active, pleasant 
village. The manufactures of this 
town consist of leather, palm-leat 
hats, boots, shoes, ploughs, straw 
bonnets, fish barrels, nail kegs, and 
dry casks; annual value, about 
$75,000. This town was incorpo- 
rated in 1732. Population, in 1830, 
1,506; 1837,1,749. It lies 38 miles 
N. from Boston, and 22 N. W. from 
Concord. 

To'tvusliend, Vt. 

Windham co. This town was 
first settled in 1761. Among the 
first settlers, was Gen. Samuel 
Fletcher, who was a sergeant at 
the battle of Bunker Hill, in 1775, 
and a captain at Ticonderoga, in 
1777. He afterwards rose to the 
rank of iiajor general of the mili- 
tia ; was high sheiifTof the county 
18 years, ami finally became judge 
of the court. He was forn\erly a 
blacksmith ; but having welded 
himself to a buxom lass, he came lo 
this, then wilderness spot, and, with 
his axe cut his way to fortune, use- 
fulness and renown. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



West river passes through the 
town with considerable rapidity : 
along its banks are some tracts of 
good intervale ; but the surface of 
the town is generally hilly, and the 
soil more calculated for grazing 
than tillage. There are some manu- 
factures in the town, a high school 
of good reputation, and two pleas- 
ant villages. Townshend lies 12 
miles N. N. W. from Braltlebo- 
rough, 28 N. E. from Benning- 
ton, 95 S. from Montpelier, and is 
bounded S. by Newfane. Popula- 
tion, 1830, 1,386. 

Trenton, Me. 

Hancock co. Trenton is situated 
on a navigable passage between 
Frenchman's bay on the E., Union 
river on the W., and N. of the island 
town of Eden. It possesses great 
advantages for navigation, and a 
large portion of its people is en- 
gaged in ship building, the coasting 
trade and tishery. Incorporated in 
17S9. Population, in 1S37, 924. 
Trenton is 7 miles S. by E. fiom 
Ellsworth. 

Trescott, Me. 

Washington co. This is an At- 
lantic town, and bounded N. E. bj"^ 
Lubec. It comprises Moose cove, 
Bailey's mistake and Haycock har- 
bors, and is flourishing in its trade 
and navigation. It was incorpora- 
ted in 1827. Population, in 1830, 
480 ; 1837, 713. 

Trout River, Vt. 

Franklin co. This river is form- 
ed in Montgomery, by several 
branches ; it runs in a N. W. di- 
rection and fiills into the Missisque 
on the border of Enosburgh and 
Berkshire. This is a good mill 
stream, and with its tributaries, fer- 
tilizes considerable tracts of coun- 
try. 

Troy, Me. 

Waldo CO. This territory was 
called Joy from 1S12 to 1826 ; it 



was then called Montgomery, and 
changed again in 1827, to its pres- 
ent name. If these Ti'ojans are 
lickle about the name of their town, 
they are good farmei-s, and produc- 
ed in 1837, 9,194 bushels of wheat. 
The surface of the town is undula- 
ting and fertile ; a large part of it is 
covered with heavy timber. It is 
watered by a branch of the Sebas- 
ticook, from which river it lies 
about 6 miles S. E. It is 39 miles 
N. E. from Augusta, and 25 N. W. 
from Belfast. Population, in 1830, 
803; 1837, 1,140. 

Troy, ]V. H. 

Cheshire CO. This town is bound- 
ed N. by Marlborough, E. by Jaf- 
frey, S. by Fitzwilliam, and W. by 
Richmond and Swanzey. It is 
about 60 miles S. W. from Concord, 
and 12 S. E. from Keene. The in- 
habitants are piincipally agricultu- 
I'alists. This town was taken from 
Marlborough and Fitzwilliam, and 
incorporated in 1815. Population, 
inlS30, 676. 

Troy, Vt. 

Orleans co. Troy lies 47 miles 
N. from Montpelier, 51 N. E. from 
Burlington, 11 N. N. W. from 
Irasbuigh, and is bounded N. by 
Canada. First settled in ISOO. 
Population, 1830, 608. During the 
war for "sailors' lights," most of 
the inhabitants left the town, which 
greatly retarded its growth. It is 
finely watered by Missisque river, 
and its tributaries : the surface is 
generally level, and the soil pro- 
ductive, particularly on the sides of 
the streams. 

The Falls on the Missisque, pro- 
duce a great water power, and pro- 
pel some machinery. These falls 
pass down a ledge of rocks about 
70 feet. A rock projects over them, 
120 feet in perpendicular height. 
From this rock, the falls, the deep 
still water in the gulph below, with 
the roHjantic scenery around (h» 
place, present a spectacle of great 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



interest to the curious traveller. 
The rocks here are chlorite, ser- 
pentine, limestone, soapstone and 
mica slate. 

Trumbull, Ct. 

Fairfield co. This territory was 
formerly called North Stratford, and 
was taken from Stratford and incor- 
porated as a town, in 1798. This 
is a small town of about 5 by 4 1-2 
miles. It lies 5 miles N. from the 
city of Bridgeport. It is watered 
by the Pequannock which empties 
into Bridgeport harbor. The sur- 
face is varied by hills and valleys: 
the soil is a gravelly loam, produc- 
tive of good crops of grain and hay. 
Population, 1830, 1,212. Tam- 
tashua hill, in the north part of the 
town, is the first land seen, in this 
direction, from the ocean. 

Truro, Mass. 

Barnstable co. Truro lies on 
Cape Cod bay, between Welfieet 
and Provincetown ; it is nearly sur- 
rounded by water; — by Pamet riv- 
er, which sets in from Cape Cod bay 
on the south, and by Cape Cod har- 
bor in Piovincetown. Truro was 
the Pamet of the Indians, and after 
its settlement, in 1700, was called 
Dans;erjicld for some years. Pam- 
et river affords a good harbor for 
fishermen; it lies about 5 miles S. 
E.from Provincetown hai-l)or. There 
is in this town, near the light house, 
a vast body of clay, called the " Clay 
Pounds," which seems providen- 
tially placed, in the midst of sand 
hills, for the preservation of this 
part of the cape. Although there 
is but little vegetation at Truro, and 
the people are dependent almost en- 
tirely for their fuel, and most of 
their food on other places ; yet there 
are but few towns in the state 
where the people are nmre flour- 
ishing, and independent in their 
circumstances. To such towns as 
this old Massachusetts looks with 
pride for one of her chief resourc- 
es of wealth — the fishery ; and for 



men of noble daring in all her en- 
terprises on the ocean. In 1837, 
there were 63 vessels owned at 
Truro, employed in the cod and 
mackerel fishery, measuring 3,437 
tons; the product of which, in one 
year, was 16,930 quintals of cod 
lish, and 15,750 bairels of mack- 
erel, valued at $145,350. The 
number of hands employed was 
512. The value of salt manufac- 
tured, annually, is about .'|i20,000. 
There are also, manufactures of 
palm-leaf hats, boots, shoes, &.c. 

No one would suppose that this 
was much of a wool growing place ; 
and it is not so in regard to the 
quantity grown, but much so as it 
regards its means. In 1837, the 
people of Truro sheared 400 sheep 
of their own rearing. If the sin- 
gle county of Penobscot, in Maine, 
would produce as much wool, in 
proportion to its territory and the 
quality of its soil, as the town of 
Ti-uro, there would be no cause of 
strife about the tariff on wool or 
woolen cloths ; for the quantity 
would be sufficient to clothe all the 
inhabitants on the glolie. 

Tiuro was incorporated in 1709. 
It lies 41 miles below Barnstable, 
and 106 fiom Boston, by land. Pop- 
ulation, 1830, 1,549; 1837,1,806. 

TuflouT>orougU, N. II., 

Strafford co., is about 50 miles E. 
by N. from Concord, situated on 
the N. E. shore of Winnepisiogee 
lake; bounded N. E. by (Jssipee, 
S. E. by Wolfeborough,'S. W. and 
W. by the lake, and N. W. by Moul- 
tonborough. 

There are several ponds in this 
town, together with many small 
streams I'unning into the lake. — 
There are sevei'al arms of the lake 
stretching fir into the town, and 
presenting to the spectator, from the 
elevatcil i)arts of the town, a suc- 
cession of beautiful views. 

Tuftonborough was originally 
granted to J. Tufton Mason, and 
took its name from him. It was 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



settled about 17S0, and incorpoi-ated 
in 1795. Population, ISoO, 1,375. 

Tunbridge, Vt. 

Orange co. A branch of White 
river passes through tliis town, on 
which are aiills of various kinds. 
The soil is generally a rich loam : 
on the stream the intervale land is 
extensive and valuable. In some 
parts of the town the surface is el- 
evated. 

Tunbridge contains a medicinal 
spring of some notoriety in cutane- 
ous diseases. Considerable quan- 
tities of the pioducts of the farms 
are sent to market. Many sheep 
are reared ; in 1837, the number in 
the town was8,2o0. 

Tunbridge was first settled in 
1776. It is 26 miles S. by E. from 
Montpelier, 7 S. from Chelsea, and 
SO N. by W. from Windsor. Popu- 
lation, i83(), 1,920. 

Turner, Me. 

Oxford CO. A tributary of the 
Androscoggin meets that river in 
this town, and linely waters it. The 
soil of Turner is good, and its sur- 
face pleasant. There are a num- 
ber of thriving villages in the 
town: thei-e is considerable trade, 
and some manufactures; but the 
business of the people is generally 
agricultural. 

Turner was incorporated in 1736. 
It is 38 miles W. S. W. from Au- 
gusta, and 14 E. from Paiis. Pop- 
ulation, 1830, 2,2 IS; 18.37, 2,435. 
Wheat crop, in 1337, 7,031 bush- 
els. 

Tui-tlc KtTer, BIc, 

Or the MeriUmpticook, a branch 
of St. John's river, which empties 
about 7 miles S. W. from the mouth 
of the Madawaska. 

Tyiigsborougii, Mass. 

Middlesex fo. This j-; ? pleas- 
ant town on both sides of Merri- 
mack river, 8 miles N. W. by W. 



fi-om Lowell, and 29 N. Vv'. from 
Boston. Incorporated, 1789. Pop- 
ulation, 1837, 870. 

The ibei- here is wide, placid, 
and maje.^tic, and adds much to the 
beauty of the place. There is not 
much water power in the town, and 
the soil is light and sandy. Large 
quantities of granite are quanied 
here, hammered and fitted for vari- 
ous uses, and taken down the river. 
Here are also manufactuies of 
brushes, bai'rels, boots and shoes. 

Tyriiigliaiii, Blass. 

Berkshii'c co. There are several 
ponds in this town, from which is- 
sues a branch of Housatonick river. 

Tyringham lies 125 miles W. 
from Boston, 14 S. E. from Lenox, 
and 35 E. ti-oin Hudson, N. Y. In- 
coiporated, 1762. Population, in 
1837, 1,2S8. 

The manufactures of the town 
consist of paper, iron castings, 
boots, shoes, leather, forks, rakes, 
palm-leaf hats, chair stuff, and 
wooden wai-e : annual value, about 
$.35,000. 

1'he surface of the town is un- 
even, and in some parts mountain- 
oiis. " Hop Brook Valley," is a 
beautiful and romantic spot. There 
is a society of "Shakers" in Ty- 
ringham. See Ccniterbury,J\r. H. 

I lufcngog Lake, 

Ls a large l;ody of water, situa- 
ted mostly in the state of Maine, 
and extending about 300 rods in 
width along the east of the town- 
ships of Eriol and Cambridge, in 
New Hampshire. This lake is very 
iiiiperfeclly known; is said to be 
about 18 miles long, and in some 
parts 10 wide ; being but little in- 
ioiior to the Winnepisiogee, in ex- 
tent and beauty. Its outlet is on 
the west side, in Errol, its waters 
flowing into the Androscoggin. 

Unconooiiook Mountaiu, N. H. 

See Goffstown 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



Underhill, Vt. 

Chittendon co. The head branch- 
es of Brown's river water this town. 
The surface is hilly and broken, 
and the soil hard ; but tolerable for 
sheep, of which a considerable 
number are reared. 

Underbill was first settled in 
1786. It lies 15 miles N. E. from 
Burlington, and 26 N. W. from 
Montpelier. Population, in ISSO, 
1,052. 

Union River, Me. 

Hancock co. The hcr.d waters 
of tliis river proceed within a few 
miles from the Passadumkeae;. It 
flows south through the towns of 
Hampton, Amherst, and Maria- 
ville : it meets the tide water at 
Ellsworth, and passes to the ocean 
by Blue Hill bay. This stream 
has numerous tributaries, the recip- 
ients of a great number of ponds, 
which are scattered over the inte- 
rior parts of the county. This 
beautiful river is in some parts 
gentle and fertilizing, in other parts 
rapid, producing a valuable water 
power for mills. Its length, from 
Ellsworth, is between forty and (ifty 
miles. 

Union, Me. 

Lincoln co. This pleasant and 
flourishing town is watered by 
Muscongus and St. George rivers, 
and by several beautiful ponds. 
The soil is fertile, and the surface 
generally swelling. 

Union was incorporated in 1786. 
It is 28 miles S. E. from Augusta, 
and 7 N. by W. from Warren. Pop- 
ulation, 1837, 1,750. Wheat crop, 
same year, 4,249 bushels. 

Union, Ct. 

Tolland co. The surface of 
Union is hilly, with a hard and un- 
productive soil. JSIashapaiig and 
Breakneck ponds, lying iu this 
town, are the principal sources of 
36* 



Quinnebaug river. A branch of 
the Natchaug also rises here. 

The town was incorporated in 
1734. First settled, 1727. It is 
bounded W. by Stafford, and is 33 
miles N. E. from Hartford, and 14 
N. E. from Tolland. Population, 
1S30, 711. 

Unity, Mc. 

Waldo CO. This is a flourishing 
farming town, 33 miles N. E. from 
Augusta, 22 W. S. W. from Bel- 
fast, and bounded S. W. by Albion. 
It is well watered by a branch of 
Sebasticook river, which passes N. 
W., about 9 miles distant. 

Unity was incorporated in 1804. 
Population, 1837, 1,520. Wheat 
crop, same year, 11,099 bushels. 

Unity, IV. H. 

Sullivan CO. Thistown is bound- 
ed N. by Clare mont and Newport, 
E. by Goshen, S. by Lempster and 
Acworth, and W. by Charlestown. 
It is 43 miles W. by N. from Con- 
cord, and 9 S. from Newport. 

Little Sugar river has its source 
I in Whortleberry pond and Beaver 
meadow, in the N. part of the 
town, passes through its centre, 
and empties itself into the Connec- 
ticut at Charlestown. Cold pond, 
the head of Cold river, is partly iu 
this town. From Oilman's pond, 
in the E. part of Unity, proceeds 
a branch of Su2:ar river, flowing 
through Newport. Perry's moun- 
tain is in the S. W. part, and partly 
in Charlestown. 

Unity is an uneven township, but 
the soil is highly favorable for 
grazing. It is excellent for flax, 
few towns in the state producing 
a greater quantity. 

Unity was granted in 1764. It 
was called Unity, from the happy 
termination of a dispute which had 
long subsisted between certain of 
the inhabitants of Kingston and 
Hampstead, claiming the same tract 
of land under two different grants. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER, 



The first settlement was made in 
1769. Population, 1330, 1,258. 

Upton, niass. 

Worcester co. Upton was taken 
from Mendon, Sutton and Hopkin- 
ton, in 1735. The surface ot the 
town is plain land, and partly rough 
and hilly, with a strong soil capable 
of yielding good crops of grain ?nd 
hay. Much attention has been 
paid to fruit trees in this town, and 
many fine orchards of various kinds 
of fruit have been the result. West 
river, a branch of the Blackstone, 
rises from a . pond in Upton, and 
furnishes a power for a number of 
mills. The manufactures consist 
of woolen goods, boots, shoes, leath- 
er, straw bonnets, sashes and blinds: 
annual value, about ,$175,000. 

This pleasant town lies 35 miles 
W. S. W. from Boston, and 15 S. E. 
from Worcester. Population, in 
1830, 1,155; 1837, 1,451. 

Uxbridge, Mass. 

Worcester co. This very hand- 
some and flourishing town lies 40 
miles S. Vi. from Boston, 17 S. by 
E. from Worcester, and 24 N. N. 
W. from Providence, R. I. It re- 
ceives an excellent water power 
from Mumford and West rivers, 
and the Blackstone canal passes 
through it. 

The manufacturing villages are 
delightfully situated, in valleys sur- 
rounded by picturesque elevations. 
There are 5 woolen and 3 cotton 
mills in tlie town, and manufactures 
of yarn, straw bonnets, boots, shoes, 
leather, chairs, cabinet and tin 
wares : total value, the year ending- 
April 1, 18.37, ,$402,450. 

Uxbridge was formerly a part of 
Mendon. It was incoi-porated in 
1727. Population, 1830, 2,08)5 ; 
1837, 2,246. Iron ore is found 
here, and an abundance of beauti- 
ful granite. 

Vassalliorougli, Mo. 

Kennebec co. This is a large 



and flourishing town on the east 
side of Kennebec river, 12 miles 
N. by E. from Augusta. There 
are several large and beautiful 
ponds in the town, from whicli is- 
sue two excellent mill streams: 
one a branch of the Sebasticook, 
the othei- of the Kennebec. 

This is a place of considerable 
interior trade, and business on the 
river. Vessels of considerable bur- 
then pass to the ocean from Vas- 
salborough, by means of the Ken- 
nebec Dam. 

The valleys are very pleasant; 
and the surface and soil of the town 
varied and fertile. Vassalborough 
was incorporated in 1771. Popula- 
tion, 1837, 2,929. Wheat crop, 
same year, 10,272 bushels. 

Vergeniies, Vt. 

Addison CO. Vergennes was first 
settled in 1766. The territory, 
which comprises an area of 480 by 
400 rods, was invested with city 
])rivilegesin 1788. It lies 12 miles 
N. W. from Middlebury and 21 S. 
by E. from Burlington. Population, 
1.S30, 999. Vergennes is beauti- 
fully located on Otter creek, at the 
falls on that stream, and is 7 miles 
from Lake Champlain. Otter creek, 
at this place, is about 500 feet wide, 
and, at the falls, is separated by two 
islands, which form 3 distinct falls, 
of 37 feet. These falls produce a 
great hydraulic power, rendered 
more valuable by being situated in 
the heart of a fertile counti'y, and 
on t!ie navigable waters of the lake. 

The creek or river, between the 
city and the lake, is crooked, but 
navigable for the largest lake ves- 
sels. During the late war, this was 
an important depot on the lake. 
Here was fitted out the squadron 
commandt'd by the gallant McDo- 
nough, who met tiie British fleet 
off" Plattsburgh, N. Y. on the 11th 
of September, 1814, and made it 
his. 

This is a very fa\'orable position 
for ship building : it now possesses 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



important manufactories and consid- 
erable trade. Although the terri- 
tory of this city is quite small, its 



peculiarly favorable location, and 
the enterprise of its people, warrant 
it a great degree of prosperity. 




VERMONT. 

The people of the territory now called the state of Vermont, having 
been connected with New York, and having experienced great dissatis- 
faction with their connexion with that state, assembled in convention and 
on the 15lh of January, 1777, declared themselves independent, and or- 
ganized a government for tliemselves. 

The hardy mountaineci-s, who had become impatient under their con- 
nexion with and dependence on the great state of New York, in pursu- 
ance of their own peculiar views of the rights and duties of a free and 
independent people, adopted many singular and peculiar provisions in their 
constitution. Some of them are licrein stated. 

Their government con.-ists of three parts ; the legislative, the execu- 
tive, and the judicial. 

The Supreme Legislature consists of a Senate and House of Represen- 
tatives, chosen annually by the freemen of the state, on the first Tues- 
day of September. The Senate consists of .30 members ; each county 
being entitled to at least one, and the remainder to be apportioned accord- 
ing to population. The House of Representatives is composed of 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 

one member from each town. The Senators are to be thirty years of 
age ; and the Lieutenant Governor is ex-officio President of the Senate. 

The body so chosen is called The General Assembly of the 
State of Vermont. The General Assembly meets annually on the 
second Tuesday of October. They have power to choose their own oflB- 
cers, to meet on their own adjournments, to terminate their sessions at 
pleasure ; to enact laws, grant charters, to impeach state criminals, &c. 
And, in conjunction with the council, they annually elect the Justices of 
the Supreme, County and Probate Courts ; also the Sheriffs, High Bailiffs, 
Justices of the Peace, &c.; and, when occasion requires, they elect Ma- 
jors and Biigadiei'S General. The General Assembly have full and am- 
ple legislative powers, but they cannot change the constitution. 

The supreme executive power is vested in a Governor, Lieutenant 
Governor, and twelve Counsellors, chosen annually by the people on the 
first Tuesday of September. They meet at the same time with the 
General Assembly, prepare and lay before them the business apparently 
necessary ; examine the laws in the progress of legislation, and approve 
or disapprove of them, and propose amendments. They cannot negative 
any act of the General Assembly, but can suspend the operation of any 
act till the next annual meeting of the Assembly. They commission all 
ofTicers ; sit as judges in all cases of impeachment ; have power to grant 
pardons and remit lines in all cases, excepting in cases of murder and 
treason, in which cases they can grant reprieves till the next legislative 
session, and excepting also cases of impeachment. They may lay em- 
bargoes for thirty days, when the assembly is not in session. 

The General Assembly, in joint meeting with the Govei-norand Coun- 
cil, annually elect the Judges, Justices of the Peace, Sheriffs, High Bai- 
lifTs, &c. 

The Governor is Captain-General, but he cannot command in person, 
unless by advice of his council. The Lieutenant Governor is Lieuten- 
ant General of the forces. 

The judicial power is vested in a Supreme Court and Court of Chance- 
ry, a County Court in each county, consisting of one of the Justices 
of the Supreme Court, and two Assistant Justices ; a Probate Court in 
each District ; and Justices of the Peace, who have a limited criminal 
and civil jurisdiction. 

The Judges of Probate appoint their own Registers, and the Sheriflfe 
and High Bailiff's appoint their own deputies. 

The several Town Clerks are Registers of deeds of conveyance of lands 
in their respective towns ; and if there be no town clerk, the deeds shall 
be recorded in the County Clerk's office. 

A council of 13 Censors is chosen by the people once in 7 years, on tb« 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 

last Wednesday of March, and meet on the first Wednesday of June fol- 
lowing. Their duties are, to inquire if the constitulioa has been viola- 
ted ; if thelegislature,&,c. have perlbrmed thcirduty ; if the taxes have 
been justly levied aod collected ; and if tlie laws liave been obeyed. 
They may pass public censures ; order impeachments ; recommend the re- 
peal of laws ; propose amendments in the con-iilution, and call conven- 
tions to act on them. Theii- power expires in one year after their election. 

Successiou of Govcruois. 

Thomas Chittenden, 1791— 179G. Isaac Tichenor, 1797— ISOfi. Isra 
el Smith, 1S07. Isaac Tichenor, ISOS. Jonas Galusha, 1809— 1S12. M. 
Chittenden, 1813, 1814. Jonas Galusha, 1S15— 1819. Richard Skinner, 
1820—1822. C. P. Van Ness, 1823—182.3. Ezra Butler, 1826, 1827. 
Samuel C. Crafts, 1828—1830, William A. Palmer, 1831—1835. Si- 
las H. Jenison, 1836 — 

Succession of Chief Justices. 

Samuel Knight, 1791— 1793. Isaac Tichenor 179 1, 1795. Nathaniel 
Chipman, 179(5. Israel Smith, 1797. Enoch Woodbridge, 1798-1800. 
Jonathan Robinson, 1801—1806. Royal Tyler, 1807- 1812. Nathaniel 
Chipman, 1813, 1814. Asa Aldis, 1815. Richard Skinner, 1816. Dud- 
ley Chase, 1817—1820. C. P. Van Ness, 1821, 1822. Richard Skinner, 
1823— 1S28. Samuel Prentiss, 1S29. Titus Hutchinson, 1830-1833, 
Charles K. Williams, 1834— 

The state is bounded N. by Lower Canada, E. by Connecticut river, S. 
by Massachusetts, and W. by New York. Situated between 42° 44' and 
45°N. Latitude, and 73° 16' and 71° 20' W. Longitude. 

Vermont is divided into 14 counties, to wit : Bennington, Windham, 
Rutland, Windsor, Addison, Orange, Chittenden, Washington, Caledonia, 
Franklin, Orleans, Lamoille, Essex and Grand Isle. The population of 
the state in 1790, was 85,-539; ISOO, 154,465; 1810,217,895; 1820, 235,- 
764; 1830, 280,657. This state contains an area of about 10,212 square 
miles. Population to a square mile, in 1830, was 27-ij. The number 
of sheep in the state, in 1837, was 1,099,011. 

The important enterprise of a rail road from Boston to the outlet of the 
great lakes, on St. Lawrence river, will doubtless be accomplished. An 
enterprise of this kind, well worthy the consideration of tlie intelligent 
citizens and capitalists of Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont, 
will greatly benefit those states, and make the capital of New England a 
powerful competitor with New York, for a large portion of the immense 
northern and western trade. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 

Although this fourteenth state was not admitted into the union until af- 
ter the revolutionary contest was over, yet she vigorously resisted British 
oppression. A range of mountains covered with spruce, hemlock and 
other evergreens divides this state nearly in its centre ; hence its name ; 
and hence the epithet " Green Mountain Boys," celebrated for. their 
braverj' in the war of independence. 

From these mountains many rivers take their rise ; the most important 
are, Otter Creek, Onion, Lamoille and Missisque, which empty into Lake 
Champlain, on, the west; and West, White and Passumpsic, which pass to 
the Connecticut on the east. This state is very fertile and produces all 
sorts of grain in great abundance. Cattle of various kinds are raised here 
with great facility. Wool is an important staple. Manufactures flourish 
on many of the delightful streams of Vermont, and its hills produce-mar- 
ble, granite and iron ore of superior excellence. The scenery of this 
state is very romantic and beautiful ; the air is pure and healthful; the 
people industiious, intelligent, hospitable. 

The trade of this state, on the west, passes to New York by lake Cham- 
plain, the northern canal and Hudson river ; that on the east, to Connecti- 
icut river. Some of the trade of this state reaches Boston, and some 
goes to Montreal. See Register. 



Veruon, Vt. 

Windham'co. Vernon lies on the 
west side of Connecticut liver, op- 
posite to Winchester, N. H. That 
river bends abruptly at this place, 
but in consequence of its elevated 
and rocky shore, affords this town 
but litle intervale land. The sur- 
face is generally mountainous, rocky 
and unproductive. There are in 
the town, line forests of oak and 
chesnut limber, and quarries of 
slate. Vernon was settled at an ear- 
ly period, and for many years was 
subject to Indian depredations. The 
remains of an old fort built in 1710, 
are now seen : many persons vvei-e 
killed and carried into captivity ; 
among the latter was the cclobiatod 
Mrs. Howe. From its settlement 



until 1802, Vernon was called Hins- 
dale. 

Vernon is 18 miles S. E. from 
Nevvfane, and is bounded S. by 
Krattleborough. Population, 1830, 
(iSl. 

Vernon, Ct. 

Tolland co. This town lies 12 
miles E. N. E. from Hartford, and 
7 S. W. from Tolland. Rock vil- 
lage, and Tankerooson are pleasant 
and flourishing manufacturing vil- 
lages, containing IS cotton and 
woolen mills. The former is 14, 
the latter 10 miles from Hartford. 
The Hockanum, and a branch of 
that river, the Tankerooson, are the 
principal streams. 

Vernon was first settled in 1716. 
It was a pait of East Windsor and 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



Bolton unCiI 1S08. The surface of 
the town is varied by liillsand val- 
leys ; the soil is a gravelly loam ami 
sandy, but good for grain and grass. 
Population, 1830, 1,164. 

Vershlre, Vt. 

Orange co. The surface of this 
town is uneven and stony, but fur- 
nishes pasturage for a large number 
of sheep, horses and neat cattle. 
Branches of Ompomponoosuc river 
rise here, but give the town no val- 
uable water power. Vershire was 
first settled in 17S0. It lies 25 miles 
S. E. from Montpelier, 35 N. from 
Windsor, and 6 E. by S. from Chel- 
sea. Population, 1830, 1,260. 

Victory, Vt. 

Essex CO. This township was 
chartered in 1781. Moose river, a 
branch of the Passumpsic, passes 
through it. It lies 10 miles W. 
from Guildhall, and, iu 1830, had 
53 inhabitants. 

Vienna, Me. 

Franklin co. A branch of Sandy 
river and several ponds water this 
fertile and pleasant town. It lies 
2-5 miles N. W. from Augusta, and 
10 S. K. from Fai-inington. Incor- 
porated, 1802. Population, 1837, 
793. Wheat crop, same year, 4,065 
bushels. 

Vinalliaven, Me. 

Waldo CO. Previous to 1838, 
this town was attached to the coun- 
ty of Hancock. It is situated 12 
miles S. E. from Camden, 6 E. from 
Owl's Head, and is formed of the 
Fox Islayuis, at the mouth of Pe- 
nobscot bay, about fifty miles be- 
low Rancor. There are three 
islands of considerable size, belong- 
ing to this group, besides several 
smaller islands on their coast. This 
island town possesses in an eminent 
degree all those advantages to be 
derived fiom a bold shore and good 
harbors, in the centre of an exten- 
Mve maritime commerce, and of 



the domestic fishery. These privi- 
leges arc well impioved by the in- 
habitants of Fox Islands : they also 
make their soil li-ibutary to their 
wants. In 1837, their croj) of wheat 
was 1,611 bushels. So long as the 
sea island towns of Mount Desert, 
Eden and Vinalhaven, afford wheat, 
and Truro, wool, in such abun- 
dance ; there seems, at present, no 
gi-eat cause for the Yankees going 
west to escape cither nakedness or 
starvation. These islands are fine- 
ly located foi- summer excursions, 
either for health or pleasure. The 
passages between the principal 
islands, are delightful ; and the 
scenery around them beautiful. 
Population, 1837, 1,768. 

' Vineyard, Vt. 

Grand Isle co. This town, com- 
prisingan island in Cliamplain Lake, 
covering an area of 4,620 acres, was 
chartered in 17!),9, by the name of 
Isle La Moffe. Its name was 
changed to Vineyard in 1802. It 
lies about 4 miles W. from North 
Hero, and was first settled in 1785. 
It is a very pleasant island, fertile, 
and abounding in excellent cedar 
and limestone. Pop. 1830, 459. 

Vineyard Sound, niass. 

This is a great thoroughfare for 
vessels bound alons tlie coast be- 
tween Cape Cod and the mouih of 
Huzzard's bay. It lies between 
the island of Martha's Vineyard 
and the islands of Nashawn and 
Nashawenna. The tides in this 
Sound are rapid, and the passage 
dangerous, without a good pilot. 

Voluntown, Ct. 

Windham co. This town was 
incorporated in 1719. It derived 
its name from the circumstance 
that most of its territory' was grant- 
ed, in 1696, to Volunteers in the 
Narraganset war. The surface is. 
in some parts, hilly; but the pre- 
vailing character of the surface and 
soil is a sandy and gravelly loana. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



Voluntown is 14 miles E. from 
Norwich, and is bounded by Rhode 
Island on the east, and North Ston- 
ington on the south. Population, in 
1830, 1,304. The town is watered 
by Wood river, a branch of the 
Pawcatuck, on which are one wool- 
en and two cotton mills. 

Waclinsett Mountain, Mass. 

Worcester co. See Princeton. 

Wait's River, Vt. 

Orange co. Branches of this 
river rise in Orange, Topsham, and 
Washington ; they meet at Brad- 
ford, and fall into the Connecticut. 
This river, and the streams that 
compose it, are rather rapid in their 
course, and furnish many valuable 
mill privileges. Below the falls, 
in Bradford, this river is more gen- 
tle, and in its course it fertilizes 
a tract of intervale. Its longest 
branch is about 20 miles. Its 
mouth, on the Connecticut, is about 
100 feet in width. 

Waitsfleld, Vt. 

Washington co. Mad river, a 
small, rapid stream, passes circui- 
tously through this town, fertilizing 
the soil, and affording it good mill 
seats. The uplands are a deep 
loam, fertile, and productive of all 
the varieties of a northern climate. 
Here are line pastures, and between 
5,000 and 6,000 sheep. 

There are some manufactures in 
the town, but the people are gener- 
ally farmers, and make a good 
business of it. Good clay for mak- 
ing earthern ware, iron ore, and 
rock crystal are found here. This 
town lies 11 miles S. W. from Mont- 
pelier, and 30 S. E. from Burling- 
ton. Population, 1S30, 985. 

The settlement of Waitsfield was 
commenced in 1789, by General 
Benjamin Wait, from Sudbu- 
ry, Massachusetts. General Wait 
entered the service of his country 
at the age of 18, and performed 



much difficult service with great 
bravery and success. At the age 
of 25 he had been engaged in forty 
battles and skirmishes : his clothes 
were several times perforated with 
musket balls, but he never received 
a wound. In 1776, he entered the 
revolutionary army as captain, and 
acquired the rank of colonel. Af- 
ter the war, he was made a briga- 
dier general of militia, and was 
high sheriff of the county of Wind- 
sor seven years. General Wait, 
having lived to see the town he 
had planted in its wilderness state, 
covered with fruitful fields, and 
peopled by independent yeomen, 
died in 1822, aged 8(5 years. 

Wakefieia, W. H. 

Strafford co. This town lies 50 
miles N. E. from Concord, and 30 
N. by W. from Dover; bounded 
N. W. by Ossipee and Effingham, 
E. by Maine, S. E. by Milton, W. 
by Middleton and Brookfield. 

Love well's pond, in the S. part of 
the town, is about 700 rods long, 275 
wide. Province pond lies between 
Wakefield and Effingham, and is 
450 rods long, 400 wide. Pine 
river pond is the source of the river 
of that name flowing N. W. into Os- 
sipee lake. The principal branch 
of the Piscataqua has its rise in 
East pond, between Wakefield and 
Newfield, Maine. The soil of 
this town is generally good. 

The town was formerly called 
East-town, and was incorporated 
in 1774, by its present name. 

There are several cotton mills in 
this town, and various other manu- 
factures. 

Lovewell's pond, in this town, 
derived its name from Captain John 
Lovewell, of Dunstable, who, on 
the 20th February, 1725, surprised 
and destroyed a party of Indians 
encamped on the side of the pond. 
Robert Macklin, distinguished for 
longevity, died here in 1787, at the 
age of 115. He was born in Scot- 
land. Population, 1S30, 1,470. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



AValdeu, Vt. 

Caledonia co. This is an eleva- 
ted townsliip betwctMi the head wa- 
ters of Onion anti Lamoille rivers. 
Cole's pond, a large sheet of water, 
lyino; in the town, produces a small 
mill stream, called "Joe's Brook." 
The surface is generally rough, but 
the soil ill some parts of the town 
produces good crops. Walden was 
first settled in IIS'J. It lies 22 miles 
N. N. E. from Monlpelier, and is 
bounded S. E. by Danville. Popu- 
lation, 1830, 827. 

"Waldo Coiinfy, ?Ie. 

Belfast is the shire town. This 
maritime and agricultural county 
is bounded N. by Penobscot and 
Piscata(|uis counties ; E. by Pe- 
nobscot I)ay and river; S. by Lin- 
coln county, and W. by the county 
of Kennebec. It contains an area 
of about 812 square miles. Its 
population in 1S30, was 29,290 ; and 
in 1S37, 36,817. 

On the eastern side of the coun- 
ty, the noble Penobscot spreads its 
broad bay and river, embosoming 
Belfast and other beautiful bays, 
and indented with numerous capa- 
cious harbors, aflbrdiiig tiiis county 
every desirable facility for naviga- 
tion and the fisheries. The relative 
position of this county with the 
great basin of the Penobscot, is 
such as to give to it a large share of 
the coiuniercc of that fertile and 
rapidly increasing section of New 
England. 

Waldo county possesses within 
itself great resources of agricultur- 
al wealth. The stirface is gener- 
ally undulating: no portion of the 
county is too elevated or too low 
for cultivation. It is heavily tim- 
bered and abounds in limestone, of 
which laTi^c quantities are annually 
manufactured and transported. The 
soil is fertile, and congenial to the 
growth of every northern staple 
commodity. Tliis coun'y is inter- 
spersed with excellent mill streams, 

37 



and its numerous ponds give it a 
varied and picturesque appearance. 
Walilo county was, as it were 
but yesterday, a desert; at pixsent 
not more than two-thirds of its ter- 
ritory niay be said to be settled. 
In 1S37, it produced 109,140 bush- 
els of wheat, and contained 55,000 
sheep, with a population of 45 to a 
square mile. 

Waltlo, Me. 

Waldo CO. This is a Plantation, 
but it is high time it was incorpo- 
rated with town privileges, for its 
surface is pleasant, and its soil fer- 
tile : it abounds with mill sites, and 
its increase of population, for the 
last seven years, was 35 per cent. 

Waldo is 4t miles E. N. E. from 
Augusta, and 7 W. N. W. frouj 
Belfast. Population, 18.37, 718. 
Whe:it crop, same 3'car, 1,903 
bushels. 

■W'alcloljorougli, Me. 

Lincoln co. This is a large, 
pleasant, and flourishing commercial 
town; a port of entry, situated on 
both sides of Muscongus river, and 
at the head of navigation on Mus- 
congus bay. 

This town, surrounded by a fertile 
country, enjoying navigable accom- 
modations, a great water power, 
and peopled by an enterprising and 
industrious class of agiiculturalists, 
mechanics and sailors, cannot fail 
of advancing in wealth and popula- 
tion. The tonnaae of this district, 
in 1837, was 39,9!)0 tons. 

The surface of the town is agree- 
ably diversified ; the soil of a qual- 
ity just hard enough to pi-omote a 
proper circulation of the blood of 
its cultivators, with air and water 
as plcai-^ant, as pure, and as favora- 
able to health and longevity, as 
those of any prairie, of which wc 
have any account, west of the Al- 
leghany mountains. It is true that 
these people have to encounter the 
dangers of the seas, in the naviga- 
tion of their numerous vessels en- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



gaged in foreign and domestic com- 
merce; to accidents attendant on 
launcliing their trig ships, brigs, 
and schooners, and in preparing 
various kinds of lumber for their 
cargoes ; and that they sometimes 
get drowned in crossing their rapid 
streams, and break tlieir limbs by 
riding too fast on their wintry snows ; 
yet they are perfectly satisfied with 
their location and condition, and 
have no hankering for the balmj' 
breezes of the south, nor thirst for 
the sweet waters of the west. 

Waldoborough is an tfncient town 
for this section of country : it was 
incorporated in 1773. It lies 37 
miles S. E. from Augusta, and 22 
E. N. E. from Wiscasset. Popu- 
lation, 1820, 2,149; 1830, 3,113; 
1837, 3,420. 

"Wales, Me. 

Lincoln Co. There is a beauti- 
ful pond lying partly in Wales and 
partly in Lisbon ; its outlet meets 
the Androscoggin a few miles above 
Topsham. Wales is an agricultu- 
ral town of good soil and even 
surface, 20 miles S. W. from Au- 
gusta, and 26 N. W. from Wiscas- 
set. Incorporated, 1S16. Popula- 
tion, 1837, 667. Wheat crop, same 
year, 2,232 bushels. 

"Wales, Mass. 

Hampden co. This town is wa- 
tered by a branch of Quinnebaug 
jiver, and has a considerable water 
power. The surface of the town is 
uneven, but the soil affords good 
pasturage. Here is a woolen mill, 
and manufactures of leather, boots, 
shoes, axes, hatchets, palm-leaf 
hats, Stc: annual value, about ,$70,- 
000. Wales is 67 miles W. S. W. 
from Boston, and 17 E. by S. from 
Springfield. Population, 1837,738. 

Walliiigford, Vt. 

Rutland co. This town is water- 
ed by Otter creek, Mill river, and 
by three ponds, one of which, Hi- 
ram's pond, covering an area of 350 



acres, lies on very elevated ground, 
and is one of the principal sources 
of Otter creek. The other ponds 
are of less size, and less eleva- 
ted. These mountain ponds are 
very handsome, and contain fish. 
The soil of the town is gener- 
ally good : that on the banks of 
Otter creek, is very fertile and 
productive. Wallingford produces 
iill the varieties of grain, grass, &c., 
and feeds a large number of sheep. 
" A range of primitive limestone 
passes through the western part of 
the township, in which have been 
opened several quarries of excel- 
lent marble. Green hill, situated 
near the centre, is composed almost 
entirely of quartz. A part of 
White rocks, belonging to the Green 
Mountain range, appears to be 
granite, the rest quartz. At the 
foot of White rocks, are large cavi- 
ties formed by the fiUen rocks, call- 
ed the icebeds, in which ice is found 
in abundance through the summer 
season." There are some valuable 
manufacturing establishments in 
the town, and a flourishing trade. 
The village is pleasantly located on 
the banks of Otter ci-eek, near one 
of the ponds. It contains some 
handsome buildings, and presents a 
variety of picturesque scenery. 
Wallingford was lirstsettled in 1773. 
It lies' 10 miles S. by E. from Rut- 
land and 42 N. N. E. from Benning- 
ton. Population, 1830, 1740. 

Wallingford, Ct. 

New Haven co. " Wallingford 
is bounded N. by Meriden, W. by 
Cheshire, E. by Durham and Mid- 
dletown, and S. by North Bradford 
and North Haven. Its length from 
east to west is nearly 7 miles, and 
its breadth about 6. The central 
part of Wallingford is 13 miles N. 
from New Haven, 23 S. from Hart- 
ford, and between 11 and 12 miles 
S. W. from Middletown. The pre- 
vailing surface is pleasantly diver- 
j sified with moderate hills and dales ;, 
the eastern extremity of the town- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



ship is mountainous. The soil is 
generally excellent, excepting a 
tract called WallingCord plain, con- 
sisting of coarse sand, situated on 
the eastern bank of the Quinnipiac. 
It is nearly 4 miles in length, and 
about I of a mile in breadth. It is 
the most extensive tract of level 
land in the state, and one of the 
most sterile and barren. The town 
is watered by the Quinnipiac, a 
valuable mill stream, which passes 
through the extent of the town, 
upon which are several mills and 
manufactories. Yaleville is a lit- 
tle manufacturing village in the 
northern section of the town, where 
britannia and tin ware is manufac- 
tured to some extent. There is an 
establishment westward of the 
main street, on the Quinnipiac, for 
the manufacture of wood screws, 
of which there are about 1,000 
groce manufactured daily. The 
principal village of Wallingford is 
beautifully situated on a line eleva- 
tion upwards of a mile east of the 
river, on two parallel streets entend- 
ing along the ridge of the hill. 
The western street, on which the 
principal part of the village is sit- 
uated, is upwards of a mile in 
length." 

Wallingford originally belonged 
to New Haven, and was called 
New Haven Village. It was first 
settled about the year 1669. Pop- 
ulation, 1830, 2,418. 

W^alloostook River, Me. 

This is the we>tern or main 
branch of St. John's river. Its 
head waters are in the counties of 
Somerset and Franklin, and on the 
border of Canada. It receives the 
waters of many lakes, ponds and 
rivers, and drains a large section of 
wilderness country. This river is 
called the Walloostook until it 
meets the waters of the St. Fran- 
cois. The lands on the borders of 
this river are said to be fertile and 
heavily timbered. See St. John's 
river under Fundy, Bay. 



W^aloomsack River, Vt. 

This good mill stream is formed 
in Bennington, by several branch- 
es : it passes N. W. and joins the 
Hoosack. Between the Waloom- 
sack and Iloosack the famous " Ben- 
nington Battle " was fought. 

Walpole, N. H. 

Cheshire co. This place lies 60 
miles S. W. by W. from Concord, 
13 N. W. from Keene, and 90 N. 
W. from Boston. Population in 
1830, 1,979. The face of this town 
is beautifully diversified by hills 
and vales. The soil is similar to 
that of other towns on Connecticut 
river. The intervales afford excel- 
lent tillage ; the uplands are inferi- 
or to none in the state. Cold river 
passes through the north part, and 
forms a junction with the Connecti- 
cut. There is a lofty hill, called 
Fall Mountain, a part of the range 
of Mount Toby ; the highest parts 
of which are about 750 feet above 
the level of the river. The village 
of Walpole is situated at the foot of 
this hill, on a plain ; the margin of 
the intervales. The principal street 
runs N. and S. and is bordered on 
both sides with dwelling houses, 
stores and shops. 

DrewsviUe, in this town, is a 
pleasant village, romantically situa- 
ted near the falls : it is a place of 
some trade, and considerable manu- 
factures. 

Bellows Falls, on Connecticut riv- 
er, separates this town from Rock- 
ingham, Vt. At the bridge, which 
crosses the river at this place, built 
in 1785, and 365 feet in length, the 
travcllei- is presented with a most 
interesting and sublime view. The 
river here is compressed into a 
narrow strait, between steep rocks, 
and for nearly a quarter of a mile is 
hurried on with great rapidity and 
loud roaiing. In no place is the 
fall perpendicular, to any consider- 
able extent ; but in the distance of 
half a mile the waters descend 42 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



feet. A canal, witli 9 locks, passes 
round these falls on tlie west side. 

Col. Benjamin Bellows was one of 
the first settlers of this town, in 
1749. He was a man of great en- 
terprise and bravery. His descen- 
dants are nunieious and highly re- 
spectable. 

Belloivs" Falls village, is in 
Rockingham, Vt., opposite toDrews- 
ville. 

Walpole, Mass. 

Norfolk CO. This town is finely 
watered by three branches of the 
Neponset which meet at this place. 
The face of the town is i-ough, but 
capable of producing good ci-ops. 

There are three cotton, two wool- 
en and two paper mills in the town, 
and manufactui-es of iron castings, 
hoes, hats, leather, straw bonnets, 
and twine : total value, the year 
ending April 1, 1837, ,f240,"3fi4. 
This pleasant and floui'ishing town 
was taken from Dedham in 1724. 
Population, 1837, 1,-592. It is 20 
miles S. W. from Boston, 10 S. W. 
from Dedham, and 21 N. by W. 
from Providence, E. I. 

Waltliani, Me. 

Hancock co. Population, 1837, 
207. Wheat crop, same year, 35(5 
bushels. See " Down East." 

Waltliam, Vt. 

Addison CO. Buck mountain lies 
near the centre of this town, and as 
it is the highest land in the county, 
west of the Green mountains, its 
summit exhibits a good view of a 
delightful section of country. 

Waltham lies on the east side of 
Otter Creek, which separates it from 
Panton. Otter Creek, at this place, 
is sluggish in its course, and affords 
no mill privileges. The soil is gen- 
erally good ; that along the stream 
is excellent. The uuiiiiier of sheep 
in Waltham, in 1837, was 3,890. 
Population, 1830, 330. It is 9 miles 
N. W. from Middlebury, and 24 S. 
from Bui'linaton. 



Waltliam, Mass. 

Middlesex co. This is one of the 
many beautiful towns which environ 
the capitol of New England. It is 
10 miles W. by N. from Boston, and 
9 S E. from Concord. It was in- 
corporated in 1737. Population, 
1S30, 1,859; 1837,2,287. 

The surface is moderately level, 
with some elevations. " Prospect 
Hill," 470 feet above the level of 
the sea, presents a delightful view 
of Boston, its harbor, and the adja- 
cent towns and country. The soil 
is generally not very feilile, but is 
rendered productive by industry. 
"Waltham Plain" is a beautiful 
ti-actof land, under aliigh state of 
cultivation. It is about two and a 
half n.iiles in length, and a mile in 
width. On the road over this plain 
is a continuous village, containing 
many handsome dwellings and beau- 
tii'ul gardens ; among the numher, 
that of tlie Hon. Theodore Lymaa 
is pre-eminently beautiful. Mr. 
Lyman's garden, of many acres in 
extent, decorated with almost every 
variety of fruit tree, shrub and 
flower, both native and exotic, is 
pi-obably unsurpassed, in costliness 
and splendor, by any private estab- 
lishment of the kind in the United 
States. 

In this town the first .cotton mill, 
on an extensive scale, was erected, 
in 1814. The capital of the compa- 
ny was ^000,000. By extraordinary 
skill and good management, through 
all the vai'ious commercial changes, 
this establishment pioved luciative 
(o the propiielors and highly bene- 
ficial to the public. .The waters of 
Charles river, which glide through 
the town, being fully improved, 
the proprietors extended their man- 
ufacturing operations at Lowell. 

There are in Waltham three cot- 
ton mills, a bleachei-y, a machine 
shop, a paper niill, and manufac- 
tures of hoots, shoes, hats, carria- 
ges, wagons, chaii's, cabinet and tia 
wares: total value, the year end- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



ing April 1, 1S37, $3JS,067. The 
roads in tliis and the neighboring- 
towns, are uncommonly excellent. 
Perhaps in no section of country 
in the world, are the roads better 
than within 10 miles of Boston. 

Wardsborougli, Vt. 

Windham co. This town is 1.5 
miles N. W. from 15rattlel)orougli, 
20 N. E. from Bennington, and 10 
N. W. from Newfune. It was first 
settled in 1780. Population, 1830, 
1,148. 

The siirface of the town is hilly, 
and in some parts rocky : the soil is 
hard, but rendered |)roductive by 
the industry of its people. Wards- 
borough is watered by West river, 
and contains a number of minerals, 
of wliich tremolite and zoisite are 
the most important, and of whicli 
tine specimens are found. There 
are some mills in the town, but the 
water power is not extensive. 

Ware River, Ttlasjj. 

Branches of this large and pow- 
erful mill stream lise in Hubbards- 
ton, Barre and Oakham. It passes 
through Hardwick, New Braintree 
and Ware, and joins the Chickopee 
at Palmer. 

■\Vare, Mass. 

Hampshire co. Ware possesses 
an admirable water power by Ware 
and iSwift rivers. The surface of 
the town is rough and hilly, and the 
soil more fit for grazing than tillage. 
In 1S37, there were 1,380 sheep in 
the town: value of wool, ,$l,6(i7. 

Ware is 6G miles W. by S. from 
Boston, 22 E. by S. from Northamp- 
ton, and 23 N. E. from Springfield. 
Incorporated, 17C1. Population, 
1830, 2,045; 1837, 2,403. 

Ware contains a beautiful village 
which commands an active and 
flourishing trade. There are two 
cotton and two woolen mills in the 
town, and manufactures of boots, 
shoes, leather, hats, fin ware, straw 
bonnets, palm-leaf hats, augers, 
37* 



sheet iron, starch, carriages, har- 
nesses, and boxes : total value, the 
year ending April 1, 1837, $645, 121. 

"Warehain, Mass. 

Plymouth co. The surface of 
this town is generally level, with 
a light, sandy soil, not very produc- 
tive. It is favorably situated for 
manufacturing pui'poses, being wa- 
tered by two tine mill streams, and 
for ship building, the tishery, and 
foreign and domestic commerce, 
having a number of good harbors 
at the head of Buzzard's bay. 

Wareham lies 50 miles S. S. E. 
from Boston, Ifi S. from Plymouth, 
and 15 E. N. E. from New IJedford. 
It was incorporated in 1739. Pop- 
ulation, 1830, 1,885; 1837, 2,16fi. 

There are in this town six nail fac- 
tories, six air and cupola furnaces, 
two rolling mills, 2 cotton mills, 
a paper mill, and manufactures of 
vessels, salt, nail casks, chairs, 
cabinet ware, leather, boots, shoes, 
&c. : the total value of these man- 
ufactures, the year ending April 1, 
1837, was .'$1,2(30,637. The nura- 
berof hands employed in these man- 
ufactures, was 682. One whale 
ship, of 874 tons, belongs to this 
place : the cargo of oil, in 1837, 
amounted to $78,286. 

In 1836, there arrived and clear- 
ed at Wareham, 2 ships, 7 brigs, 86 
schooners, and 193 sloops : aggre- 
gate tonnage, 20,140 tons. During 
that year there were exported from 
this place 7,107 tons of nails, 421 
tons of iron hoops, 1,969 tons of 
hollow ware, 144 tons of iron cast- 
ings, 98 tons of nail rods, 386 doz- 
en of shovels, and 4,180 bushels 
of salt. The number of tons of 
manufactured iron, exported that 
year, was 9,76.5. 

Warner, K. II. 

Merrimack co. This town is 
bound N. by Sutton and Salisbury, 
E. by Boseawen, S. by Hopkinton 
and Ilennikei-, and \V. by Brad- 
ford. The distance of Warner 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



from Hopkinton is 8 miles, and from 
Concord, 15. It is watered by War- 
ner river, a handsome stream, which 
rises in the Sunnpee mountain in 
Newbury. It passes through Brad- 
ford, enters Warner at the N. W. 
corner, and running in an E. and 
S. E. direction, divides the town 
into nearly two equal parts, and 
falls into Contoocook river in Hop- 
kinton. The lands, though broken, 
have, in general a good soil. Mink 
hills lie in the W. part, and furnish 
tine orchards and good pasturage. 
There are four ponds, viz: Tom, 
Bear, Bagley and Pleasant ponds. 
Pleasant pond, the waters of which 
are clear and cold, deep, and of a 
greenish cast, has no visible outlet 
or inlet, and overflows its banks in 
the driest seasons. 

This town was granted in 1735, 
by the general court of Massachu- 
setts, to Dea. Thomas Stevens and 
others. It was incorporated in 1774, 
by the name of Warner. The tirst 
settlement was made in 1762, by 
David Annis and his son-in-law, 
Reuben Kimball, whose son Daniel 
was the tirst child born in town. 
Population, 18.30, 2,221. 

The following account of a terri- 
ble tornado, in this section of coun- 
try, is by the Rev. John W^oods, 
published in Piofessor Silliman's 
Journal, Vol. XXXV.— No. 2.— 
January, 1839. 

Mr. Woods says, " The event 
occurred about half past 5 o'clock, 
Sunday evening, September 9th, 
1821. The wind, I suppose, was a 
proper whirlwind, precisely such 
as occasion water-spouts at sea. 
A very intelligent woman in War- 
ner, who, at a distance of two or 
three miles, observed its progress, 
compared its appearance to a tin 
trumpet, the small end downward, 
also to a great elephant's trunk let 
down out of heaven, and moving 
majestically along. She remarked, 
that its appearance and motion gave 
her a strong impression of life. 



When it had reached the easterly 
part of the town, she said the low- 
er end appeared to be taken up from 
the earth, and to bend around in a 
serpentine form, until it passed be- 
hind a black cloud and disappeared. 
Its course was southeasterly. It 
was attended with but little rain in 
some parts of its course, more in 
others. The rain, or what appear- 
ed like it, was in ni}' opinion taken 
from bodies of water which it pass- 
ed over. It was said, that it low- 
ered the water in a small pond iu 
Warner, about three feet. To peo- 
ple near Sunapee lake, in New 
London, I was told, it appeared as 
if the lake was rushing up towards 
heaven. The appearance of the 
cloud to beholders at a little dis- 
tance, was awfully terrific. It 
commenced its desolating progress 
east of Grantham mountain, in 
Croydon. In Wendell, beside oth- 
er buildings, it demolished a dwell- 
ing house, and carried a child who 
was asleep upon a bed, into Suna- 
pee lake. In New London and 
Sutton it did considei-al)le damage, 
but met with few dwelling houses 
and destroyed no lives. From Sut- 
ton it passed over the southwest 
branch or spur of Kearsarge moun- 
tain, with a gore of land belonging 
to Warner, called Kearsarge gore. 
At the foot of this mountain, it en- 
tirely demolished five barns, un- 
roofed another, and utterly destroy- 
ed two dwelling houses and so rent 
another as to render it irrepara- 
ble. 

"The houses wholly destroyed 
belonged to two brothers, Robert 
and Daniel Savary. They contain- 
ed fourteen persons. In the house 
of the latter were their aged par- 
ents, seventy years old, I should 
think, or upwards. The old gen- 
tlemen, as he saw the cloud com- 
ing, went into a chamber to close 
a window, and was there when the 
wind struck the house. He was 
can-led four or five rods, dashed 
upon the rock, and instantly killed. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



A part of his brain was left upon 
the rock where he fell. His wife 
was very badly wounded, and it was 
thought would not recover. A 
child of Daniel Savary, in the same 
house, was also killed. In the 
house of Robert Savary, several 
were much wounded and bruised, 
but no lives lost. The houses and 
barns and other buildings at this 
place were not only levelled with 
the foundation, but the materials 
and contents were dashed in ten 
thousand pieces, and scattered in 
every direction. Carts, wagons, 
sleighs, ploughs, and sleds which 
were new and strong, (one ox-slcd, 
I recollect, was entirely new,) 
were carried to a considerable dis- 
tance — from twenty to sixty rods — 
and so broken and shattered as to be 
tit only for fuel. Stone walls were 
levelled, and rocks, weighing two, 
three, or four hundred pounds, were 
turned out of their beds, apparent- 
ly by the bare force of ihe wind. 
Large logs, also, two feet or more 
in diameter, which were bedded in- 
tothe ground, and were lifly or sixty 
feet long, were not suHiciently 
weighty to retain their location. 
In one instance I recollect to have 
.seen one large log lying upon an- 
other in such a condition, that it 
was thought by good judges, that 
ten yoke of oxen could not have 
moved the lower one from its bed ; 
but both were removed by the 
wind several feet. An elm tree 
near where old Mr. Savary fell, 
which was one foot at least in di- 
ameter, and too strongly rooted to 
yield, was twisted like a withe to 
the ground, and lay prostrate across 
the path like a wilted weed. Not 
an apple or forest tree was left 
standing. One barn was seen to be 
taken up whole, with its contents 
of hay, grain, &c. After being 
carried several rods, it came to 
pieces, and flew like featliers in 
every direction. 

From the neighborhood of the 
Savarys, it passed over another spur 



of the mountain, and fell with great 
violence on the buildings of Peter 
Flanders and Joseph True. Their 
houses, which were hut a few rods 
distant, one in Warner, the other in 
Salisbury, were utterly demolished. 
In Mr. F.'s liouse were nine per- 
sons, two of whom were instantly 
killed. Mr. F. and wife were very 
i)a<lly wounded, but at length re- 
covered. In Mr. T.'s liouse were 
7, all of whom were most wonder- 
fully preserved, except tliat 2 chil- 
dren, 10 or 12 years old, were bad- 
ly burnt by hot bricks, the oven 
having been heated and the bread 
then in it; one of whom lingered 
several weeks in extreme sufibr- 
ing and then died. The father and 
mother of Mrs. T., who lived about 
half a mile distant, were visiting 
there. They had just left the tea 
table. Mr. T. and his father-in-law 
went out at the door and saw the 
cloud, but thought at first they 
were so under the hill it would pass 
harmless over them. But they 
were soon convinced that its track 
was marked with desolation. Mr. 
T. just gave an alarm to his family, 
then ran under tht end of his shop, 
which happened to stand beyond 
the violence of the wind so as not 
to be demolished. His father-in- 
law, (Jones,) stood his ground un- 
til the wind struck the barn, a few 
i-ods to the northwest of him, and 
he saw the fragments of it flying 
thick in the air over his head. He 
then threw himself flat upon the 
ground by a heavy pile of wood. 
Instantly a rafter fell endwise close 
by him, entering the ground a foot 
or two in depth, and immediately 
a beam grazed down upon the raf- 
ter and lay at his feet. He and 
Mr. T. were entirely unharmed. 
In a moment they saw, instead of a 
new and strong and very comforta- 
ble dwelling house, a perfect desola- 
tion. Not even a sill remained up- 
on its foundation. Even the cellar 
stairs, and the hearths, which were 
of tile or brick eight inclies square, 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



were taken up and removed. The 
bricks of the chimney lay scattered 
along, partly covering Mrs. T., and 
covering to a considerable depth 
two of the children. Mrs. T. was 
soon taken up with but little inju- 
ry. The shrieks and cries of the 
two children, under a weight of 
hot bricks, next pierced the heart 
of their father. In removing them, 
he burnt his hands to the bone. 
They were at length taken gut 
alive, but in a state of great suffer- 
ing, one of whom, as 1 have men- 
tioned, after a few weeks, died. 
All were now found but the babe, 
about one year old. Supposing it 
to be under the biicks, Mr. T. re- 
newed his labor ; but soon it was 
heard to cry in the direction of the 
wind. Such as could run, ran in 
search of it, and soon found it ly- 
ing safe upon the giound beneath 
a sleigh bottom, 10 or 15 rods from 
where tlie house had stood. When 
the wind came, the sleigh was in 
the barn, six or eight rods north or 
northwesterly from the house. The 
two last mentioned houses were 
one story, well built, and well fur- 
nished dwellings. Their materials 
were not merely separated, but 
broken, splintered, reduced to kind- 
ling wood, and scattered like the 
chaff of the summer thrashing 
floors. It was the same with fur- 
niture, beds, bedding, bureaus, 
chairs, tables, and the like. A loom 
was, to appearance, carried whole 
about fortj' rods, and then dashed 
in pieces. The width of the deso- 
lation here was about twenty or 
twenty-five rods. On the higher 
grounds over which it passed it 
was forty, fifty, or sixty rods. The 
deeper the valley, the narrower 
and more violent was the current. 
B'rom the last mentioned neighbor- 
hood it passed on to the east part 
of Warner, but met with no other 
dwelling houses, and did but little 
damage, except to fences and for- 
ests. The appearance of the ground 
where it passed, was as if a migh- 



ty torrent had swept over it, up 
hill as well as down. Near 
the boundary, between Warner 
and Boscawen, the desolation ceas- 
ed. It was taken up from the earth, 
l)ut spruce floor boards, which 
were taken from New London, 
were borne upon its bosom and 
dropped in the Shaker village in 
Canterbury, a distance of about 
thii-ty miles. In following its track 
in Kearsarge gore, I came to a 
considerable stream of water, across 
whicli had been a bridge, covered 
with large oak logs^ split in the 
middle, instead of planks. These 
half logs were scattered in every 
direction, some carried, I should 
think, ten rods in the direction from 
which the wind came, others sixty 
rods in the direction it went, and 
others wei-e dropped near the mar- 
gin at the right and left. 

One remarkable fact is, that the 
same day, and about the same time 
in the day, two other similar whirl- 
winds were experienced, vvhicli 
moved in nearly parallel lines, one 
passing through Warwick, Mass., 
and the other about the same dis- 
tance to the nortlieast." 

■Warren, Me. 

One of the county towns of Lin- 
coln county. This town is situated 
on both sides of St. Georges' river, at 
the head of tlie tide waters, and is 
bounded N. by Union, S. by Camp- 
don and Thomaston,S. by Gushing, 
and W. by V»aldoborough. Incor- 
poi-ated, 1776. Population, 1830, 
2,030; 1837,2,143. It is 34 miles 
S. E. from Augusta. 

The location of this town is very 
favorable for manufactures and 
navigation. The lumber business 
is not so large as formerly, yet con- 
siderable quantities are now sawed 
and shipped. Ship building is an 
important branch of business, and 
the manufacture of lime, from a 
superior quality of limestone, with 
which this section of country 
abounds, is carried on extensively. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



and is annually increasina;. The 
villaoe is well located and pleasant : 
it contains a well conducted acade- 
my or high scliool, ibr youth of 
both sexes; in which all the lan- 
guages and olhci- branches of edu- 
cation may be obtained, and such 
as are necessary to prepaie them 
for future usefulness in society. 

AV'arrcn, N. II. 

Grafton co. This town is 10 miles 
S. E. from Havoihill corner, and 63 
N. by W. from Concord. It is wa- 
tered by the N. branch of Baker's 
river, which has its source on the 
E. side of iMaosehillock mountain. 
It passes in a N. direction to Wont- 
worth, and, near the S. line of War- 
ren, furnishes several valuable mill 
seats. The S. E. part presents a 
mountainous aspect, having a large 
portion of Carr's mountain on its 
southeastern border. Warren was 
granted by charter, in 17G3. Popu- 
lation, in 1830, 702. 

"Warren, Vt. 

Washington co. This town was 
first settled about the year 1797, by 
Samuel Lard and Seth Leavitt. It 
lies 16 miles S. ^\'. from Montpe- 
lier, and 31 S. E. from Burlinsiton. 
Population, 1330, 766. This town 
is watered by Mad rivei-, and al- 
though between the two Green 
mountain ranges, the surface is not 
much broken ; it has some good mill 
sites, and some mechanical opera- 
tions by water. Many cattle are 
reared in the town, and about 4,000 
sheep are kept. 

W'arreu, Mass. 

Worcester co. This town was 
called Western from 1741 to 1834. 
It lies 60 miles W. by S. from Bos- 
ton, and 23 W. S.W from Worcester. 
Population, 1>^37, 1,196. It is wa- 
tered by Chickopec river, and con- 
tains one coJton ami two woolen 
mills, a scythe fat^tory and manu- 
factures of |)alm-leaf hats. The 
value of goods annually made in 



the town, is about, •175,000. A large 
portion of the lands in Wai-rcn are 
uneven and hilly, but the soil is 
warm, and fuvoiable to the growth 
of grain, and the support of sheep, 
of which 1,110 were kept in -1837. 
Tlie village is quite pleasant. 

Warren, R. I. 

Bristol CO. This small town, com- 
prising- an area of only about 2,600 
acres, is situated on the E. side of 
Narraganset bay, and is bounded N. 
and W. by Palmer or Warren river, 
E. by Massachusetts, and S. by 
Bristol. It is 11 miles S. E. from 
Providence, and 19 S. by E. from 
Newi)ort. Incoipoiated, 1746. Pop- 
ulation, 1S30, 1,S00. 

The surface of Warren is undu- 
lating, with a soil of rich mould, 
very fertile and productive. Great 
attention is paid in this place to ag- 
riculture, ami particularly to hoi'ti- 
culturc ; and all the varieties of 
fruits and culinary vegetables are 
produced in abundance and perfec- 
tion. Warren has a safe and com- 
modious harbor for vessels of 300 
tons burthen: a number of vessels 
are owned here, engaged in foreign 
commerce, the coasting trade and 
fishery. Ship building has been 
pursued here to a great extent, and 
some vessels are now built, but not 
so many as formerly. This jjlace 
has pioduced a great numberof ex- 
cellent saiioi's and ship masters, as 
well as ship builders. 

The village is delightfully situa- 
ted on a rise of ground fronting the 
harbor: it is neatly built, and is 
surrounded by a variety of interest- 
ing scenery. This town is noted 
for the h<;althiness of its climate, 
and the longevity of its inhabitants. 
In 1834, there were only 19 deaths 
in the town, and the average asre 
of 7 of those was S.5 years. War- 
ren is a fine resort in summer, and is 
much frequented. 

AVarren, Ct. 

Litchfield co. Warren was taken 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



from Kent, in 17S6. It is bounded 
on tJie E. by Litclifield, and is 38 
niiles W. from Hartford. Tbe town' 
is watered by Shepaiig river, a 
branch of the Housatonick, and by 
a large and handsome pond, called 
Raumaug. Warren is hilly and 
rocky, and in some parts mountain- 
ous. It however produces butter, 
cheese, beef, pork, some srain, and 
considerable wool. Population, in 
1830, 986. 

Warwick, Mass. 

Franklin co. This town is ele- 
vated, and contains Mount Grace, 
from which a delightful prospect is 
presented. The soil is strong, warm, 
and produces excellent pastui'age. 
There are no considerable streams 
in the town, and its manufactures 
consist only of leather, scythes and 
palm-leaf hats. Moose pond, a 
pleasant sheet of water, furnishes 
an abundance of fine trout, picker- 
el and perch. 

Warwick was incorporated in 
1763. Population, 1837, 1,111. It 
is 78 miles W. N. W. from Boston, 
and 14 E. by N. from Greenfield. 

■Warwick, R.. I. 

Kent CO. This important town, 
the Indian Shaioomet, is situated 
en t'he W. side of Narraganset bay, 
5 miles S. from Providence. Pop- 
ulation, 1820, 3,443 ; 1830, 5,.529. 
It contains an area of 54 square 
miles. The surface of the town, 
along the bay, is generally level, 
but the westerly part is hilly, so 
much so that from some of the el- 
evations, a large part of the state 
may be seen in a clear day. The 
prevailing soil is a gravelly loam, 
strong, and productive of grain, 
grass, fruits and vegetables. The 
town is well supplied with a great 
variety of fish, and forests of wal- 
nut, oak and chesnut. 

Pawtuxet river washes the north- 
ern part of the town, and meets 
the waters of the Narraganset at 
this place, separating Warwick from 



Cranston. An arm of the bay ex- 
tends westward, giving to Warwick 
and East Greenwich a number of 
excellent harbois. Vessels of 50 
tons burthen pass to the flourishing 
village of Apponaug, between 4 
and 5 miles fiom the ba)^ This vil- 
lage is pleasantly located, 10 miles 
S. from Providence, and is the site 
of considerable enter])rize in ship 
building, the fishery, and the coast- 
ing trade. 

Pawtuxet village is at the mouth 
of Pawtuxet river, a port of entry, 
and lays partly in Warwick, and 
partly in Cranston. This beautiful 
village, 5 miles S. from Providence, 
is celebrated for its great hydraul- 
ic power on navigable waters. War- 
wick is eminently distinguished as 
a manufacturing town ; but all we 
can at pi-esent state is, that but ve- 
ry few villages in our country can. 
boast of a more valuable manufac- 
turing interest, particularly in cot- 
ton goods. As early as 1822, there 
v.ere 15 cotton and 2 woolen mills 
in Warwick. 

Warwick is the birth place of two 
distinguished patriots and warriors. 

Col. Christopher Green was 
born in 1737. He was in the ill- 
fated attack upon Quebec, in which 
the brave Montgomery fell. He 
was afterwards selected by Wash- 
ington to take charge of Fort Mer- 
cer, or Red Bank, N. J. For his 
gallant defence of that Fort against 
a superior force, in 1777, he ac- 
quired the reputation of a brave, 
judicious and faithful officer. He 
was assassinated in the most bru- 
tal manner, in 1781, by a partj'- 
of American royalists, while sta- 
tioned on the boi'derof Croton river, 
New York. 

Major General Nathaniel 
Green was born in 1741. He died 
in Georgia, in 1786. General Green 
early received the particular favor 
of Washington. This favor was 
continued throughout the war, and 
was strengthened by his ardent 
patriotism, undaunted courage, pru- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



dence, and superior military know- 
ledge. 

" Witliin a mile from the village 
of Apponaug maj' be seen a huge 
rock, so completelj' balanced upon 
another, and its equilibrium so ex- 
act, that a boy 14 years of age may 
set it in such motion that the contact 
or collision caused thereby, pi-odu- 
ces a sound somewhat like tiiat of 
a drum, but more sonorous, which 
in a still evening may bo heard a 
distance of 6 or S miles. Hence, 
from time immemorial, it has gone 
by the name of the Drum Rock. 
From the pondt-rous weight of that 
part which is thus nicely balanced, 
it is generally believed that no oth- 
er than the hand of nature ever 
could have done it. Yet some are 
inclined to believe, that it was thus 
placed by the herculean labor of 
some tribe of the natives. Thei-e 
remains no doubt, but that this was 
a place of their resort or encamp- 
ment ; and that the Drum Rock 
served them either to give an alarm 
in case of danger, or to call the tribe 
together from their daily avocations. 
This rock is considered as a great 
curiosity, excites much attention, 
and consequently is at the present 
day a place of mucii resort, par- 
ticularly in the pleasant season of 
the year.' 

'^''asbingtou Connty, Mc. 

Machias is the shire town. This 
county is of a singular form. It 
extends from the Atlantic ocean to 
the border of Lower Canada, a dis- 
tance of more than 3 1-2 degrees 
of latitude. Its interior part, for 
more than 175 miles, is but 14 miles 
in breadth : that part near the sea 
is about 50 nvilcs in width. This 
territory is bounded N. by Lower 
Canada, II. by New Brunswick, S. 
by the ocean, and W. by the coun- 
ties of Hancock and Penobscot. It 
contains an area of about 4,150 
square miles. About a third part 
of this county may be said to be 
settled ; the residue is a densely 



wooded wilderness. The charac- 
ter of the surface and soil of this 
county, is much the same as that 
of the adjacent counties of Han- 
cock and Penobscot. In common 
with all the Atlantic counties in 
Maine, Washington county possess- 
es its numerous bays, inlets, capa- 
cious harbors, and pleasant islands, 
so admirably adapted to foreign and 
domestic commerce, the fisheries 
and ship building. 

The St. Croix is its most impor- 
tant river. The banks of this no- 
ble stream are rapidly settling, by 
Yankees on one side and English- 
men on the other; and long may it 
be a channel, not only of individu- 
al and national wealth, but of " good 
nature and good humor, between 
people, who, though under dilTcrcnt 
govei-nments, have the same Ian- 
guage, a similar religion, a kindred 
blood." 

The tonnage of the two districts 
in this county, Machias and Passa- 
maquoddy, in 1S37, was 19,072 tons. 
In 1837, the number of sheep in 
the county was 19,008: the same 
year it produced 27,014 bushels of 
wheat. The population of the coun- 
tv in 1S20, was 12,744 ; in 1S30. 
21,294; and in 1837, 28,4.05: in- 
crease in 7 years,34 pr. ct., and in 17 
years, 123 pr. ct. Pop. to sq. m., 7. 

AVasIiington, Me. 

Lincoln co. This town contains 
several ponds, and some branches 
of the Damariscotta and Mus- 
congus rise hei-e. It lies 35 miles 
E. from Augusta, and 25 N. N. E. 
from Wiscasset. Population 1837, 
1,378. Wheat crop, same year, 
2,269 bushels. Incorporated, 1811. 
It was formerly called Putnam. 

AVashiugton, N. \i., 

Sullivan co., lies, 22 miles N. 
N. E. from Keene, 20 E. by S. from 
Charlestown, and 35 W. from Con- 
cord. This town is hilly, but not 
mountainous. Lovewell's moun- 
tain, so called from Capt. Love- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



well's killing 7 Indians near it, is 
of a conical shape, about 3-4 of a 
mile in diameter, and may be seen 
at a considerable distance. Wash- 
ington abounds with springs, rivu- 
lets, and natural ponds, of the last 
of which, there are no less than IG, 
and some of them of considci-able 
magnitude. Island pond, so called 
from its being full of islands, is 2 
miles long, and 1 1-2 wide. Half 
moon pond is 1 1-2 miles in length. 
Ashuelot pond is 1 1-2 miles long, 
and 1 mile wide, and is the source 
of one of the principal branches of 
Ashuelot river. Brockway's pond, 
a beautiful sheet of water, lying on 
a white sand, is 1 mile long and 1-2 
a mile wide. Long pond, lying in 
this town and Stoddard, is 5 miles in 
length. These ponds abound with 
a variety of fish. A branch of 
Contoocook liver has its source fi-om 
several small ponds in the E. part 
of the town. The soil is generally 
deep and moist, better for grass than 
tillage. Washington was settled 
in 176S. It was first called Monad- 
nock, vVi7. 8. From its settlement, 
it was called Camden, till Decem- 
ber 13, 1776, when it was incorpo- 
rated by its present name. The 
first settlers had 150 acres of land 
each for settling. Population, in 
1S30, 1,135. 

Wasliington County, Vt. 

MoNTPELiER is the chief town. 
This county is nearly in the centre 
of the slate, and l!ie principal part 
of it lies between the two ranges 
of the Green Mountains. It is 
hounded N. by Lamoille and parts 
of Chittenden and Caledonia coun- 
ties, E. by Caledonia county, 8. by 
Orange and Addison, and W. by 
Addison, and Chittenden, counties. 
It was incorporated in 1810, by the 
name of Jefferson, and took its pres- 
ent name in 1814. The county is 
finely watered by its chief river, 
the Winoo-iki, or Onion, and many 
of its important branches. These 
streams all'ord the county an abun- 



dant water power, and manufac- 
turing establishments increase and 
tloui'ish in this mountainous region. 
The sui'face of the county is 
uneven, hilly, and in some parts 
mountainous, but there is much 
valuable land along the streams, 
which in many parts are sluggish, 
and form large tracts of excellent 
intervale. The agricultural pro- 
ductions consist of neat cattle, hors- 
es, hogs, wool, and of the produc- 
tions of the dairy. In 1837, there 
were 60,025 sheep in Washington 
county. There are large bodies of 
beautiful granite, in the county, 
and slate of various kinds. Popu- 
lation, 1S20, 14,113; 1330, 21,378. 
Since 1830, there have been some 
small changes in Wasliington coun- 
ty, in regard to territory. We will 
thank any of our Green Mountain 
friends to give us all the necessary 
information respecting it, for future 
editions. The I'ail road from Bos- 
ton to Ogdcnsburgh will probably 
pass through tliis county, but we 
beg them not to wait for that event. 

Wasliington, Vt. 

Orange co. Rranches of Onion, 
Wait's and White livers rise in this 
town, but afford no considerable 
water power. The two former are 
called Jail Branches, from the cir- 
cumstance that the pioprietors were 
required by their charter, of 1781, 
to erect a jail within the limits of 
the town, at an early period. There 
is sonic excellent land along the 
streams, and the uplands are gener- 
ally arable, and arForil good pastu- 
rage. There is a neat village in 
the town, some trade and manufac- 
tures, and between 3,000 and 4,000 
sheep are annually sheared. Wash- 
ington is 15 miles S. by E. from 
Montpclier, and is bounded S. by 
Chelsea. Population, 1S30, 1,374. 

"Wasliington, Mass. 

Berkshire co. This mountainous 
town is watered by branches of 
Westfield and Housatonick rivers. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



The soil is well adapted for grazing. 
In 18:57, 5,209 sheep were shear- 
ed in the town, producing 15,()27 
pounds of wool, principally merino. 
There is found in this town a po- 
rous quartz, which is used as huhr 
stones, for mill stones ; and is re- 
markable for i-esistingheat. Wash- 
ington was incorporated in 1777. It 
is 122 miles \V. from Boston, and S 
E. from Lenox. Population, 1S37, 
75S. 

Washington Cownty, R.I. 

Sorith ICini^stoi} isthc shire town. 
This is a maritime county situated 
in the southwcstei'n section of the 
state ; hounded on the north by 
Kent county, on the east by Nar- 
raganset bay, on the south by the 
Atlantic ocean, and on the west by 
the state of Connecticut. The av- 
erage length of the countj-, from 
east to west, is about 20 miles, and 
it has a mean breadth of more than 
18 miles, comprising about 367 
square miles. The geological char- 
acter of this county is primitive; 
the rocks consist of granite and oth- 
er original formations. The sur- 
face is generally diversified with 
moderate hills and narrow dales; 
there are, however, some consider- 
able eminences in the northwest 
section of the county, and some 
flats of considerable extent in the 
south section, bordering upon the 
Atlantic. The prevailing soil is a 
primitive gravelly loam, strong and 
fertile; there are some considera- 
ble tracts of sandy loam, and some 
of alluvial. A considerable section 
of this county was formerly called 
the Narraganset country, and was 
celebrated for an excellent breed 
of pacing horses; the other section 
was called the Shannock counti-y, 
and was equally distinguished for 
a valuable breed of neat ca'tle. 
This county still maintains a high 
reputation as a grazing district, and 
atFords many extensive and valua- 
ble dairies. But the auricultui'al 
interests are not confined exclu- 

38 



sively to the objects of the grazing 
business; in some sections of the 
county considerable attention is paid 
to the cultivation of grain, particu- 
larly Indian corn and barley ; some 
rye also is raised. The inhabitants 
are distinguished for their habits of 
industry and frugality, and in gen- 
eral enjoy their necessary results, 
Iiealth and competence. 

The waters of the county are ex- 
tensive and important, possessing a 
maritime border upon the Atlantic 
ocean and the Narraganset bay, of 
more tlian 50 miles extent. There 
are, however, but 2 or 3 harbors ; 
the principal of which is Wickford, 
in the noitheastei-n section of the 
county ; the next most important is 
the Pawcatuck. The principal in- 
terior waters of the county are em- 
bodied in the Pawcatuck river, 
which forms part of the western 
boundary of the state. The prin- 
cipal blanches of the Pawcatuck 
are the Wood and Charles rivers; 
which, with their tiihutary streams, 
water a large portion of the west- 
ern section of the county, and af- 
ford numerous sites for mills, and 
other hydraulic works. 

There are, in the county, several 
salt and fresh water ponds, which 
are well supplied with fish. 

The fisheries of the county are 
extensive and valuable, affording 
employment to considerable indus- 
try, which is usually well reward- 
ed. The fish taken, not only sup- 
ply the home consumption, but con- 
stitute an article of exportation. 

Although the commercial busi- 
ness carried on within the county 
is not very considerable, yet its 
maritime situation has had its nat- 
ural influence upon the habits of 
the people ; a considerable portion 
of whom are employed in seafaring 
business. 

The manufacturing interests of 
the county are considerable, and 
consist principally of the woolen 
and cotton manufactures, and the 
business of ship building. Besides 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



these, there is considerable me- 
chanical industry in the other de- 
partments of mechanical business. 

In 1837, there were 81,619 sheep 
in the county. Population, in 1800, 
16,13.5; 1810, 14,963; in 1820, 
15,687; 1830, 15,411. Population 
to a square mile, 42. From this 
statement of the population, it ap- 
pears that this county must have 
suffered greatly by emigration. 

Washington, Ct. 

Litchfield co. Judea, the first 
society in this town, was a part of 
Woodbury until 1741. It was first 
settled in 1734. It was incorpora- 
ted as a town in 1779. 

This town is 40 miles S. W. from 
Hartford, and 10 S. W. from Litch- 
field. Population, 1830, 986. 

"A large part of this town is el- 
evated and mountainous. Lime- 
stone abounds in many of the val- 
leys. Several quarries of marble 
have been worked, from which con- 
siderable quantities have been rais- 
ed. Iron ore has been found in va- 
rious places. Ochre, fuller's earth, 
and white clay, have also been 
found. The town is watered by 
the Shepaug river, a branch of the 
Housatonick, which passes thi-ough 
the whole length of the town, di- 
viding it into two nearly equal parts. 
The town is divided into two so- 
cieties, Judea and New Preston. 
There is in Judea, or Washington 
as it is called, about two miles S. 
W. of the centre of the town, a 
place called" Steep Rock." From 
the top of this eminence, which is 
easy of access, the beholder has 
one of the most interesting and 
beautiful prospects in the state. 
The scene presents an area in the 
form of an amphitheatre, the sides 
of which are covered with a dense 
forest. The Shepaug river is seen 
flowing in a beautiful circle at the 
base of the bluff. Within the cir- 
cle of the river, there are several 
cultivated fields, affording a beauti- 
ful landscape to the beholder. 



" This town has been the theatre 
of one of the most atrocious mur- 
ders ever committed in New Eng- 
land. The mui-derer was a man or 
rather fiend, by the name of Barnett 
Davenport. From his own confes- 
sion, it appears that his parentage 
and early education were exactly 
fitted to produce his wicked life and 
his tragical end. Untutored and 
unrestrained by parental govern- 
ment, he was left to grow up at 
random. In the morning of life, 
no morality was inculcated upon 
him, and no sense of religion, either 
by precept or example. On the 
contrary, he was, from early years, 
unprincipled, profane, and impious. 
Before he was 9 years old, he was 
expert in cursing and swearing, and 
an adept in mischief. At 11 years 
he began (o pilier. At 13 he stole 
money. At 15 he entertained 
thoughts of murder, and rapidly 
waxed harder and bolder in wick- 
edness. At 19, he actually mur- 
dei-ed a family in cold blood. As a 
friendless wandering stranger, he 
was taken into the house of Mr. 
Caleb Mallory, and treated with 
the utmost kindness, in December, 
1779. Scarcely two months had 
elapsed, before the murder was de- 
termined on. The night of Febru- 
ary 3(1, 1780, was fixed on to exe- 
cute the horrid purpose. With a 
heart hard as adamant, he lighted a 
candle, went into the lodging room 
of his benefactoi's, and beat them to 
death with a club. A little grand 
child being with its grand parents 
shared the same fate, and two others 
were left in a sound sleep to perish 
in the flames. Having kindled a 
fire in three of the rooms, he fled, 
after robbing the house of its most 
valuable articles. But from an ac- 
cusing conscience, and from the 
hand of justice, which followed 
hard upon his steps, he was unable 
to flee. He was taken, and execu- 
ted at Litchfield in the May ensu- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



Waterborougli, Me. 

York CO. Tliis town is watered 
by a large and pleasant pond, which 
empties into Little Ossipee river, 
a branch of the Saco, and hy the 
head branches of the Mousuni, a 
stream which meets the ocean at 
Kennebunk. This is a flourishing 
town, with a pleasant surface and 
good soil. It lies 81 miles S. W. 
from Augusta, 24 W. from Portland, 
and is bounded S. by Alfred. Incor- 
porated, 17S7. Population, 1S30, 
1,816; 1837, 1,953. 

AVaterbury, Vt. 

Washington co. The surface of 
Waterbury is generally level, with 
some pleasant swells. The soil is 
warm and fertile : the meadow lands 
on the rivers, of which there are 
large tracts, are not excelled, iij 
richness, by any in the state. 

This town is separated from 
Duxbury by Onion river, which, 
with Waterbury river and other 
streams, afford the town a good 
water power. It was first settled 
in 1784. Population, 1830, 1,650. 
It lies 12 miles N. W. from Mont- 
pclier, and 24 E. S. E. from Bur- 
lington. 

in the southwest corner of the 
township, the passage of Onion riv- 
er through a considerable hill, is 
considered a curiosity. The stream 
has here worn a channel through 
the rocks, which in times past, un- 
doubtedly, formed a cataract below 
of no ordinary height, and a consid- 
erable lake above. The chasm is 
at present about one hundred feet 
wide, and nearly as deep. On one 
side the rocks are nearly perpendic- 
ular, some of which have fallen 
across the bed of the stream, in such 
a manner as to form a bridge, pas- 
sable, however, only at low water. 
On the same side the rocks which 
appear to have been loosened and 
moved by the undermining of the 
water, have again rested, and be- 
come fixed in such a posture as to 



form several caverns or caves, some 
of which have the appearance of 
rooms fitted for the convenience of 
man. Several musket balls and 
flints were found in the extreme 
part of this cavern, a few years 
since, with the appearance of hav- 
ing lain there many years, which 
makes it evident that it was known 
to the early huntei-s. 

Waterbury River, rises in Mor- 
ristown, and runs south through 
the western part of Stow and Wa- 
terbury into Onion river. In Stow, 
it receives one considerable tribu- 
tary from the east which rises in 
Worcester, and two from the west 
which rise in Mansfield. It also 
receives several tributaries from 
the west, in Waterbury, which 
originate in Bolton. The whole 
length of the stream is about 16 
miles, and it affords a number of 
good mill privileges. 

Waterbury, Ct. 

New Haven co. The Indian 
Mattatuck, a territory comprising 
this and some of the neighboring 
towns, being 18 miles in length and 
10 miles in width, was sold by the 
red men to the whites,, in the year 
1684, " for divers good causes and 
thirty-nine pounds." This piece 
of ground was supposed by the 
white men, to afford sufficient room 
and accommodations for thirty fam- 
ilies. The territory now contains 
8,000 people ; and if its population 
was as dense as that of England, in 
1831, it would contain no less than 
20,'ilO, or of Belgium, 35,370 souls. 

There are some good lands on 
the borders of the streams, within 
the present limits of Waterbury ; 
but the surface of the town is gen- 
erally rough, and the .soil difficult 
of cultivation. 

This town lies 28 miles S. W. 
from Hartford, and 20 N. by W. 
from New Haven. Population, 
1830, 3,070. 

" The site upon which the bor- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



ough of Waterbury stands, is situa- 
ted in a valley which is washed by 
Mad river on the east, and the Nau- 
gatuck on the west ; and in its cen- 
tral partis about a mile in breadth. 
The main street runs east and west ; 
but since the increase of the manu- 
facturing establishments within the 
last twelve years, a large share of 
the new buildings have been erect- 
ed in their vicinity, which is in the 
southeast part of the village. On 
either side of the village, hills 
gradually rise, to a considerable 
elevation, presenting to the eye 
the galiei'ies of an amphithea- 
tre, the village forming the area. 
The number of houses is about one 
hundied and iifty, and the popula- 
tion fifteen hundred ; which it is 
calculated has doubled itself dur- 
ing the last twelve years; most of 
the factories having been established 
within that time. Some of tlie 
private dwellings may be called 
splendid, and a majority of them 
neat, convenient, with handsome 
court yards in front. 

" Of the articles manufactured 
in the village, those of gilt buttons 
and the rolling of brass and copper 
metals for a great variety of uses, 
constitute thp greatest business. 
There are three factories of thi§ 
kind upon an extensive scale, two 
in the village, and one about two 
miles north, connected with which 
is a gold rehnery. There are like- 
wise two factoiies of gilt buttons 
upon a considerable scale, uncon- 
nected with rolling mills. One 
extensive rolling mill connected 
with the brass wire and tubing- 
manufacture, two satinet factoiies, 
one woolen factory, besides a great 
number of minor establishments, in 
which buttons of various kinds and 
other articles are manufactured to a 
considerable extent. The numlier 
of persons in the village, of both 
sexes, who are employed in the 
manufacturing establishments, is 
between six and seven hundred. 
It is not precisely known what 



amount is manufactured yearly, 
but it has been estimated by good 
judges to exceed a million of dollars, 
and is upon the increase. The 
route has been surveyed by a prac- 
tical engineer, for constructing a 
canal to bring the Naugatuck on to 
the bank at the west end of the 
town, which will, when completed, 
atford a supply of water power, ca- 
pable of employing as much or 
more capital than has been already 
invested." 

Samuel Hopkins, D. D., the 
founder of a religious sect, denom- 
inated Ho])kinsians, was boi-n in 
this town, in 1721. He died at 
Newport, R. I., in 1803. See Eeli- 
gious Creeds, and Statistics. 

Dr. Lemuel Hopkins, a poet, 
and an eminent physician, was born 
in Waterbury, in 1750. He died 
»i Hartford, in ISOl. 

Waterfortl, Me. 

Oxford CO. This town is water- 
ed by a number of beautiful ponds, 
and Crooked river passes through 
its noitheast border. The surface 
is generally level and the soil good. 
It produced in 1837, 5,545 bushels 
of wheat. 

Waterford was incorporated in 
1797. It lies 57 miles W. by,S. 
from Augusta, and 10 W. by S. 
from Paris. Population, in 1837, 
1,297. 

"IVaterfoi-d, Vt. 

Caledonia co. This town was 
chartered in 17S0, by the name of 
Littleton, which name it retained 
until 1797. It was first settled in 
1787. it lies on the west side of 
Connecticut river, 32 miles E. N. 
E. from Mon'pelier, and 12 E. S. E. 
from Danville. Population, 1830, 
1,358. The west pai-tof the town 
is watered by the Passumpsic, and 
the north bolder by Moose river. 
Here is a water power, and some 
manufactures. A part of the town 
borders on Fifteen Mile Falls, in 
Connecticut river. The banks of 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



that river are steep at tliis place, 
and form but little intervale. The 
uplands are rough and stony, hut 
good for sheep, of which 3,500 are 
kept. 

AVaterford, Ct. 

New London co. This town 
was taken from New London in 
1801. It is washed on the east side 
by the river Thames ; and on the 
south by Long Lsland Sound, from 
which a hay or inlet extends, be- 
tween Millstone and Black Points, 
quite into the centre of the town, 
affording a harbor for small vessels. 
This is a resort for fishermen on the 
Sound, and many species of the 
finny tribe are taken captive. 

There are a number of ponds in 
the town, three considerable mill 
streams, and two woolen factories. 
The surface of the town is rocky and 
uneven, with a gravelly loam, pro- 
ductive of corn, vegetables, fruits, 
and feed for cattle. In 1837, it con- 
tained 2, .582 sheep. 

Waterford lies 37 miles S. E. from 
Hartford, and 4 \V. from New Lon- 
don. Population, 1S30, 2,463. 

Waterqucccliy River, "Vt. 

See Queechy River. 

AVatertovrii, Mass. 

Middlesex co. Charles river 
gives this town a valuable water 
power, which is well improved. 
The river is navigable to the centre 
of the town for vessels of 6 or 7 
feet draught of water. 

The surface of the town is diver- 
sified by hills and valleys, which is 
rendered very beautiful by a high 
state of cultivation, and by the nu- 
merous villas, neat farm houses, 
cottages, and delightful gardens 
which meet the eye in every direc- 
tion. A part of the beautiful sheet 
of water, called "Fresh Pond," 
and apart of the celebrated Mount 
Auburn Cemetery lie in this town. 

On the north bank of the river, 
a short distance below the princi- 

38* 



pal village, the United States Arse- 
nal, containing a large amount of 
munitions of war, occupies a site 
of 40 acres of ground. At the 
commenrement of the revolution- 
ary war, this place was the chosen 
seat of the continental congress. 
That body of patriots was in session 
at Watertown on the day of the 
battle of " Bunker Hill." 

There are two paper mills in the 
town, a cotton mill, print works, an 
establishment for linishing woolen 
goods, and manufactures of soap, 
candles, boots, shoes, boxes, &.c. 
Large quantities of beef, pork, 
bacon, &.C., are annually packed at 
this place for the Boston market, 
and for transportation. In 1837, 
three soap and candle manufactories 
used 300 tons of tallow, 3.50 tons of 
barilla, 50 tons of palm-oil, 1,750 
barrels of rosin, 2,000 casks of 
lime, and 1,000 bushels of salt. 

Watertown was first settled in 
1630, by the sons of Sir Kichard 
Saltonstall and others. It was in- 
corporated the same year. Popu- 
lation, 1830, 1,641; 1837, 1,739. 
It is 7 miles W. from Boston. Its 
Indian name was Pigsgusset. 

Waterto^vii, Ct. 

Litchfield co. This town lies 
30 miles S. S. W. from Hartford, 
26 N. by W. from New Haven, and 
10 S. E. from Litchfield. Popu- 
lation, 1830, 1,500. 

Watertown was formerly a parish 
in Waterbnry, by the name of West- 
bury. It was incorporated as a 
town in 1780. It is bounded N. by 
Litchfield, E. by the Naugatuck 
river, separating it from Plymouth, 
W. by Bethlem and Woodbury, and 
S. by ]\Ii(ldlcbury and Waterbury. 
It is about 6 1-2 miles in length, and 
4 in breadth. The township is gen- 
erally uneven, or rather hilly ; but 
some sections are level. The pre- 
vailing soil is a dry gravelly loam, 
and best adapted to grazing, but 
the different grains common to this 
part of the country are cultivated. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



Steel's brook, a sprightly stream, 
passes through the central part of 
the town, and for a mile below and 
some distance above the centre of 
the town, a chain of rich meadows, 
though small in extent, border the 
sides of this stream. 

This is the birth place of John 
Trumbull, the celebrated author 
of " McFingal." He graduated 
at Yale College, and studied law 
with John Adams, in Boston. The 
first part of his McFinaal appeared 
in 1775. It was completed in 17S2. 
He was a judge of the Supeiior 
Court of Connecticut fiom 1801 to 
1819. In 1825, he removed to 
Detroit, where he died, in 1831, 
aged 81 years. 

The people of this town make 
some boast of the size of their for- 
est trees. It is said, as an extraor- 
dinary fact, " that one of the first 
settlers, having no shelter for the 
night, peeled off the bark of one of 
the trees he had felled, and lay 
down upon the inside. In the 
morning when he awoke, he found 
the bark rolled up so closely that it 
was with some difficulty he could 
extricate himself." 

This story will do to tell as far 
west as Connecticut, but the ' Dpwn 
Easters' would laugh at it. It 
would take Dame Nature more 
than a night to screw up the bark 
of one of their common pines even 
to the circumference of the New 
Hampshire Giant. The Maine 
folks willingly grant to Connecti- 
cut the tallest poets, but claim to 
their state the biggest trees. 

Water ville, Me. 

Kennebec co. This town is situ- 
ated on the west bank of the Ken- 
nebec river, 18 miles N. fiom Au- 
gusta. It was incorporated as a 
part of Winslow in 1771, and as 
a separate town in 1802. Popu- 
lation in 1820, 1719; in 1830, 
2,216; in 1837, 2,905. It contains 
.30 square miles, mostly of the 
best quality of farming land of the ', 



Kennebec region. Seven twelfths 
of the population is estimated to be 
agricultural. The principal village, 
of about ISO houses, is on the Ken- 
nebec, at Ticonic Falls. These 
falls are 18 feet in height, extending 
quite across the river. In the town, 
there are 17 saws, four grist mills, 
carding machines, three plaster 
mills, two extensive tanneiics and 
a machine shop. One iron (oundry, 
a branch of the celebrated Fair- 
banks establishment in Vermont, 
si'.pplies a great portion of the inte- 
rior of the state with ploughs. The 
public structures are 4 meeting 
houses, an Academy, and the Lib- 
eral Institute, a Seminary founded 
by Universalists. This latter edi- 
fice, though small, is one of the 
most beautiful specimens of archi- 
tecture in the state. Ticonic bridge, 
crossing the Kennebec, 550 feet in 
length, is a fine specimen of Col. 
Long's plan of construction. 

Waterville College is pleasantly 
situated near the village, on the 
bank of the river. There are 2 ed- 
ifices for rooms, a chapel, and a 
commons hall. This Institution 
was founded in 1813, as a Theolo- 
gical school; in 1821 it was con- 
verted into a College, and has 143 
graduates. It was founded by 
Baptists, but is open to all denomi- 
nations, and affords facilities for 
manual labor. Its Faculty is a 
President, three Professors, and 
two Tutors. 

From Augusta, the head of sloop 
navigation, goods are transported 
to Waterville in large flat-boats, 
some of which carry 40 tons. This 
renders the place an important depot 
of merchandise for an extensive 
country above, and of produce and 
manufactures brought down to be 
shipped for a market : great quanti- 
ties of oats; shingles and other lum- 
ber, leather, potash and potatoes, are 
thus transported from this place. 
The erection of a dam at Augusta, 
is thought to have improved the 
navigation, and affords facilities for 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



making Waterville the centre of 
trade for tlie country above. A 
steam boat now runs between this 
place and the lower towns. 

The village of West Waterville 
is on Emerson stream, a tributary of 
the Kennebec. Here is a rcmark- 
ble cascade, the highest known in 
the state, and is much resorted to for 
its picturesque scenery. At this 
village are manufactories for cut- 
ting out last blocks, which are e.\- 
portcd in great quantities to Massa- 
chusetts, and a scythe factory of 
high reputation, which made 300 
dozen scythes in the year 183S. 

The water power at Waterville 
and in the vicinity, is singularly 
great. A circle described from the 
Ticonic fiills, before named, as a 
centre, with a radius of live miles, 
includes two falls across the whole 
Kennebec, at Kendall's mills, two 
miles above Waterville; two falls, 5 
miles distant, on tlie Sebasticook, a 
large tributary stream ; and an in- 
delinite series of falls upon the 
Emerson stream, fi-om the cascade 
to its confluence, besides numerous 
rajiids, which could easily be dam- 
med, on all these streams. It is be- 
lieved that no similar circle of 10 
miles diameter in New England, 
comprehends so large and conven- 
ient water power. But a very small 
part of this power is yet occupied, 
and situated as Waterville is, in the 
centre of these manufacturing fa- 
cilities, enjoying convenient boat 
navigation to the sea ports, with an 
extensive region of the best agri- 
cultural advantages in the rear, it 
promises to become a thrifty and 
populous town. 

AV'aterville, BT. H. 

Grafton co. This town compris- 
es the territory called Gillis and 
Foss' Grant, until its incoiporation, 
in 1829. It is bounded N. by un- 
granted land, E. by Albany, S. by 
Sandwich, and W. by Thornton. It 
was granted June 29, 1819, to Jo- 
siah Gillis, Moses Foss, jr. and oth- 



ers. It is watered by Mad river, 
which rises among the mountainous 
ti-acts on the N. ; runs S. W. about 
20 miles, and falls into Pemigewas- 
set river in Campton. Swift river 
has its source in this town, pursues 
an E. course through Albany, into 
Conway, where it unites with Saco 
river. There are 2 ponds, and sev- 
eral considerable elevations. Mo- 
ses Foss, jr. commenced the settle- 
ment some years since. It has 96 
inhabitants. 

^Vatervme, Vt. 

Lamoille co. This town is envi- 
loned by mountains, and is itself 
mountainous. It is watered by a 
branch of Lamoille river, and is 
bounded E. by Belvidere, Vf . by 
Fletcher. It lies about 25 miles S. 
E. from St. Albans. Population, 
1830, 4S8. 

■\Vaylaiid, Mass. 

Middlesex co. The name of this 
town was East Sudburj-, from 1780 
to 1835. It lies on the east side of 
Sudbury river, and is bounded east 
by Weston. The surface of the 
town is pleasant ; the soil is gener- 
ally good, and contains some well 
cultivated farms. There are 4 for- 
ges in this town, and manufactures 
of chairs and cabinet wai'e ; "but the 
pi'incipal manufacture is that of 
l)oots and shoes ; the annual value 
of which is about .$25,000. Way- 
land is 16 miles \V. from Boston, 
and 7 S. from Concord. Population, 
1837,931. 

Wayne, Me. 

Kennebec co. Wayne lies N. 
of Leeds, and is situated a little be- 
low the centre of a chain of beau- 
tiful lakes or ponds, whose outlet, 
which passes through the town, 
falls into the Androscoggin. The 
centre of the town is about 4 miles 
east of the Androscoggin, and 16 
W. from Augusta. The surface of 
the town is undulating, and the soil 
fertile. It was incorporated in 1798. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



Population, in 1837, 1,170. Wheat 
crop, same year, 3,268 bushels. 

AVeare, N. H. 

Hillsborough co. The only riv- 
er in Weare, is the N. W. branch 
of Piscataquog, which enters the 
west boundary fi-oni Deering, and 
meanders through the N. and E. 
sections of the town, and passes 
the S. line about half a mile from 
the S. E. corner. This river affords 
the best mill seats in the town. 
There are three small ponds in this 
town. Rattlesnake hill, nearly in 
the centre of the N. line of the 
town, abounds with shelving rocks, 
abrupt precipices, forming dens and 
caves. During the summer season, 
the reptile from which the hill 
takes its name, is frequently found. 
The town, though rather broken, is 
not mountainous. It has small 
swamps, and some good meadows. 
It is now settled and cultivated to 
its extreme limits by industrious 
and wealthy husbandmen. It was 
incorporated in 1764, and receiv- 
ed its name in honor of Meshech 
Weare, chief justice of the prov- 
ince of N. H. 

Weare is 15 miles S. W. from 
Concord, and 17 N. N. W. from 
Amherst. Population, 1830, 2,430. 

AVeatUersfield, Vt. 

Windsor co. [Those who wish 
to find the course and distance to 
the onion fields in Connecticut, or 
to their fair cultivators, will please 
see Wethei-sfieW, Ct.] 

Weathersfield was first settled 
about the year 1778. It is bounded 
S. by Springfield, N. by Windsor, 
and is 61 miles S. by E. from Mont- 
pelier. Population, in 1830, 2,213. 
This town lies on the west side of 
Connecticut river, at the " Bow," 
so called from a bend in the river. 
It contains large tracts of rich 
meadow land, and the uplands are 
of a good quality. 

William Jarvis, Esq., for many 
years a resident here, owns a large 



and superior farm, and has greatly 
benefited this section of country by 
the introduction of new modes 
of agriculture, and more valuable 
breeds of stock. The agricultural 
products of Weathersfield are very 
valuable : about 15,000 fleeces of 
fine wool are annually sheared. 
This town is large, and contains 
a number of pleasant villages. It 
is watered by several ponds, and by 
Black river, which gives it a water 
power, and which is applied to 
manufacturing operations to some 
extent. In common with all the 
towns on Connecticut river, Weath- 
ersfield has its share of delightful 
scenery ; and there is no better 
place to find it, in all its richness, 
than on the Asciitney , at the north 
part of the town. 

"Welbster, Mass. 

Worcester co. This town was 
incorporated in 1832, and named 
in coinpliment to Hon. Daniel 
Webster, including a part of 
Dudley and Oxford, and a tract of 
land previously unincorporated. It 
is bounded N. by Oxford, E. by 
Douglas, S. by Thompson, in 
Connecticut, and W. by Dudley. 
It is 46 miles W. S. W. from Bos- 
ton, 16 S. from Worcester, 45 E. 
by S. from Springfield, and 28 N. 
W. from Providence, R. I. Popu- 
lation, 1837, 1,210. 

There are in operation in this 
town two woolen and four large 
cotton mills, a cotton thread mill, 
1 machine shop, 1 bleachery, a tan- 
nery, and a manufactory of tin 
ware : total value of manufactures, 
the year ending April 1, 1837, 
$312,277. 

French river and a pond give this 
place a large and unfailing water 
power. The original name of this 
pond, as appears from ancient deeds, 
was Chabanakongko7nom,the same 
name by which Dudley was known, 
though the latter probably borrow- 
ed it from the former. Some re- 
cords and maps of New England 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



have given the name of Chargo<r. 
gagogixmanchoiiS^nrrogg. The fall 
at the outlet ot this |)oiul is 24 feet, 
which is increased after it empties 
into French river to about 90 feet 
before it passes into Connecticut. 
This afl'orded ample water power 
for tlie late Samuel Slater to con- 
centrate here a Iar2;c portion of his 
manul'aeturina; capital ; and it is to 
the enterpiise of this ' Father of 
American manufactures,' that this 
place is indebted for most of the 
prospei-ity which it at present en- 
joys. It was his favorite residence, 
and where his remains now i-est. 

A remnant of the Dudley, or 
more pj-operly of the Nipmuck In- 
dians, reside here. They are about 
40 in number, thousfh but few of 
them are of pure blood. These 
Indians formerly owned a consider- 
able tract of reserved land in the 
centre of Chabanakong;kamon or 
Dudley. This was sold by order of 
the legislature, and the proceeds 
appropriated to their support, and to 
the purchase of about 30 acres, on 
which they now reside. This mon- 
ey is now expended, and they are 
dependent on the bounty of the 
state for support. 

AVeltl, Me. 

Franklin co. This town contains 
a large and beautiful pond, the out- 
let of which forms a considerable 
river, which passing south falls into 
the Androscoggin at Mexico. 

The surface of the town is remark- 
ably pleasant, and the soil fertile. 
Wheat crop, 1837, fi,0:J9 bushels. 

Weld lies 53 miles \V. N. W. 
from Augusta, and 14 W. from 
Farmin-iton. Population, in 1830, 
766 ; 1837, 953. 

AVelineet, Mass. 

Barnstable co. This township 
lies on both sides of Cape Cotl : it is 
bounded N. by Ti-uro, S. by East- 
ham, and is 33 miles below Barn- 
stable. 

The town is on the west side of 



the Cape : it is neatly built, and 
although it is surrounded by sand 
hills, and almost entirely destitute 
of vegetation, it makes a handsome 
appearance. Welllleet bay sets 
into the town from the south, and 
is separated from Cape Cod bay by 
several islands, which form a good 
hai-hor, at a place called " Deep 
Hole." 

In 1837, there were 120 vessels, 
measuring about C,0()() tons, belong- 
ing to this place, employed in the 
cod and mackerel tisheries, and a 
numbci- engaged in the coa-ting 
trade. The fishermen took 3,100 
quintals of cod lisli, an I 17,500 bar- 
rels of mackerel : the value of 
which was $128,500. The quantity 
of salt used was 29,350 bushels : the 
number of liands employed was 496. 
During that year thei-e were 39 es- 
tabli-.h.:iients for the manufacture 
of salt in this place ; the quantity 
made was 10,000 bushels. 

There are several ponds and 
streams in the town, which afford 
vvatei- power sufiicient for a large 
cotton mill. There are some man- 
ufactures of leather, boots and 
shoes ; but the people are princi- 
pally employed in the fishery, coast- 
ing trade and manufacture of salt. 

Wellfleet was incorporated in 
1723. Population, 1830, 2;044 ; 
1837, 2,303. 

Dr. Morse stated in 1797, that 
"since the memory of p;ople now 
living, there have been in this small 
town thirty pa'- of twins, besides 
two births that produced three 
each." 

This is one of the most thriving 
towns in the state. One of its for- 
mer residents. Col. Elisha Doane, 
is said to have acquired a fortune of 
120,000 pounds sterling on I his sandy 
spot. The Indian name of the town 
was Rinonalianiiil. 

Wellington, Me. 

Piscataquis co. Wellington is 
hounded E. by Pai-kman, S. l)y Har- 
mony, and W. by Brighton. It is 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



watered by one of the head branch- 
es of Sebasticook river, and lies 
about 22 miles N. by E. from Skow- 
hegan. A part of the town is ele- 
vated, but its surface, generally, 
is undulating, with a productive 
soil. Population, IS-*??, 721. V/heat 
crop, same year, 4,290 bushels. 

"Wells, Me. 

York CO. Wells lies on the sea 
coast between York and Kenne- 
bunk, and is 85 miles S. W. by S. 
from Augusta, and 30 8. W. by S. 
from Portland. The first settlers 
came from Exeter, N. H., about 
the year 1640. A noted Indian 
chief, Wavvwaw, lived here about 
one hundred j'ears ago, pretending 
to claim this and some adjoining 
towns. There is no evidence of any 
purchase of Indian title to the soil. 
The town charter from Thomas 
Gorges is dated Sept. 27, 1043. 

There are a number of small 
streams or brooks running thi-ough 
the town in various directions, on 
which are 1 fulling, 16 saw and 10 
grist mills. The principal river 
is near the middle of the (own, and 
was called by the Indians IVebhan- 
net, but is now generally called the 
" Town river." A sand bar at the 
entrance renders the navigation 
somewhat difficult. Ogunquit riv- 
er, in the southerly pai't of the 
town, forms a harbor for small 
coasting and fishing vessels. 

The town contains about 35,000 
acres, of which one fifth may be 
considered waste land, or unfit for 
cultivation. It contains large tracts 
of salt meadow. Wood for fuel is 
exported to Boston and other places, 
in considerable quantities. Some 
trade is cariied on with the West In- 
dies, and vessels of various size are 
built from timber in the town. In- 
corporated, 1053. Population, 1837, 
3,042. This town furnished a large 
number of revolutionary officers. 

AVells River, Vt. 

This river has it.s source in Ket- 



tle pond, which lies at the north- 
west corner of Groton and a part of 
it in Marshfield. It runs nearly 
southeast about two miles, and falls 
into Long pond in Groton, which is 
about two miles long and 100 rods 
wide. From this pond it continues 
its southeasterly course half a mile, 
and falls into another pond, which 
is about half a mile long and a 
quarter of a mile wide. It then 
runs a mile and a half, and meets 
the south branch, w'hich rises near 
the southwest corner of the town, 
and runs nearly east to its junction 
with the main stream ; it then runs 
east southeast about a mile, and 
receives the north branch, which 
has its source near the southeast 
corner of the town. Continuing 
the same course, it passes through 
the northwest part of Ryegate into 
Newbury, and running near the line 
between Newbui-y and Ryegate 
about 4 miles, falls into Connecti- 
cut river about half a mile south 
of the northeast corner of New- 
bury. This is generally a rapid 
stream, furnishing many excellent 
mill privileges. 

Wells, Vt. 

Rutland co. A part of this town- 
ship is level, and a part mountain- 
ous. The soil is generally good, 
and productive of grain, and of pas- 
turage for sheep, of which between 
three and four thousand ai'e kept. 
The piincipal stream in the town is- 
sues from Wells or St. Augustine 
lake or pond, a beautiful sheet of 
water, partly in Poultney, 5 miles 
in lcngtli,and coveiing 2,000 acres. 
At the outlet of this pond is a snug 
village, v*ith some water power 
machinery. 

Weils was first settled in 1768. 
It lies 05 miles S. S. W. from Mont- 
pelier, and 13 S. W. from Rutland. 
Population, 1830, 880. 

Wendell, K. H., 

Sullivan co., is bounded N. by 
Springfield, E. by Sunapee lake. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



separating it from Mow London 
and Nevvljury, S. by (-oshen, W. 
by Nevvpoi-t and Croydon. It is 35 
miles N. W. from Concord, and 7 
E. from Newport. A considerable 
part of lake Siinapee, a noble sheet 
of water, lies in this town. The 
surface of this lake is said to con- 
tain 4,09.5 acres, of which 2,720 
acres are in Wendpll. Here is the 
principal source of Siijjar river, 
which flows from the lake near its 
centre from north to south ; passes 
through the centre of the town into 
Newport, from thence into Clare- 
mont, where it unites with the Con- 
necticut. There are three small 
ponds, containing an area of about 
300 acres. This town was granted 
by the name of Saville in 1763. It 
was settled in 1772, and was incor- 
porated in 1781, when it received its 
name from Jo'nn Wendell, one of 
the principal proprietors. Popula- 
tion, 1830, G37. 

"\V (.'Udell, Mass. 

Franklin co. The surface of 
Wendell is uneven, and in some 
parts hilly ; but the soil is strong 
and productive. Miller's i-iver 
passes through the north part of the 
town, giving mill privileges, fertil- 
ity and beauty in its cour-se. There 
is a curious kind of stone found 
here, embedded with mica slate; 
and Chalk pond famishes a sub- 
stance from which chalk is made by 
burning it. 

The manufactures of this pleas- 
ant town consist of palm-leaf hats, 
boots, shoes, leather, cabinet ware, 
chairs, &c. 

Wendell w-as incorporated in 
1781, and named in honor of Oliver 
Wendell, Esq., a very worthy man, 
for many years president of Union 
Bank, in Boston, the second insti- 
tution of the kind in Massachusetts. 
Mr. Wendell was a great patron of 
this town, and frequently vi-ited it. 
Wendell is bounded north by 
Erving, ea?t by Phillipsfon, south 
by Salem, ,i;id west by Montague. 



The mill privileges on Millers 
river in this town are very valua- 
ble ; many of which remain unim- 
proved. 

Wendell lies 80 miles W. by N. 
from Bo-ton, and 14 E. from Green- 
field. Population, 1837,347. 

"WeuUair;, Mass. 

Essex CO. This town is 20 miles 
N. by E. from Boston, 6 N. from 
Salem, and 16 S. from Nevvbury- 
port. First settled, 1339. Incor- 
porated, 1643. Population, 1837, 
693. 

Wenham or Enon pond is a beau- 
tiful sheet of water, about a mile 
square, and affords an abundance 
of excellent tish. It is much visi- 
ted. The first sermon preached in 
this place was on the border of this 
pond, by the celebrated Hugh Pe- 
ters, minister of Salem, about the 
year 1635. His text was, " At 
Enon near Salem, because there 
was much water there." 

Mr. Peters went to England, as 
agent for the colony, 1641 ; en- 
gaged in the civil wars on the side 
of the parliament, and was e.xecu- 
ted after the restoi-ation of Charles 
II. 

The surface of the town is pleas- 
ant: the soil is generally of a good 
quality, and well cultivated by in- 
dustrious and independent farmers. 

John Duntan, an Englishman who 
travelled in this country in 1686, 
and on his return to England pub- 
lished a journal of his travels, gives 
the following account of Wenham, 
and of its minister, Joseph Gerrish, 
who was ordained Feb. 13, 1675, 
and died Jan. 6, 1719. 

" Wenham is a delicious para- 
dise, it abounds witii rural pleas- 
ures, and I would choose it above 
all other towns in America to dwell 
in ; the lofly ti-ees on each side of 
it are a sufficient shelter from the 
winds, and the warm sun so kindly 
ripens both the fi-uits and flowers, 
as if the spring, the summer, and 
the autumn had asrreed together to 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER, 



thrust the winter out of doors. It 
were endless to enter on a detail of 
each faculty of learning Mr. Ger- 
rish is master of, and I therefore 
take his character in short hand. 
The philosojjher is acute, ingenious 
and subtle. The divine, curious, 
oi'thodox and profound. The man 
of a majestic air, without austerity 
or sourness; his aspect is masterly 
and great, yet not imperious or 
haughty. The christian is devout 
without moroseness, or starts of ho- 
ly frenzy, and enthusiasm. Tlie 
preacher is primitive witliout the 
occasional colors of whining, or 
cant, and methodical, without in- 
tricacy or affectation; and which 
crowns his character, he is a man 
of public spirit, zealous for the 
conversion of the Indians, and of 
great hospitality to strangers. He 
gave us a noble dinner, and enter- 
tained us with such pleasant fruits, 
as I must own. Old England is a 
stranger to." 

Wenloclc, Vt. 

Essex CO. This mountain town 
gives rise to a principal branch of 
Nulhegan river. The lands here 
are too elevated for cultivation. 

Wenlock lies 53 miles N. E. from 
Montpelier. Population, in 1830, 
24. 

"Wentwortli, N. H. 

Grafton co. This town is bound- 
ed N. by Warren, E. by Rumney, 
S. by Dorchester, and W. by Or- 
ford. It is 15 miles N. W. from 
Plymouth, and 52 N. N. W. from 
Concord, This town is watered by 
Baker's river, on which is a fall of 
18 or 20 feet, aflbrding an excellent 
privilege for all kinds of water ma- 
chinery. The South branch of 
Baker's river passes through the 
southerly part of this town and joins 
the main hranch near Rumney line. 
There are but few ponds. Baker"s, 
situated on Orford line, is the most 
considerable ; the cutlet of which 
is called Pond brook, and affords 



water sufficient for several valuable 
mill seats. In the east part of the 
town, lies part of Carr's mountain, 
covered in its natural state with a 
heavy growth of forest trees. A 
part of the elevation called Mount 
Cuba lies in the W. pait of Went- 
worth. This mountain contains in- 
exhaustible quantities of the best 
limestone, of which a constant sup- 
ply of good lime is made, and sold 
at a low pi-ice. Iron ore is found 
in various parts. The soil is gen- 
erally good ; the lands in the vicin- 
ity of the rivers are of the first 
quality. Wentworth was granted 
in 1766. It received its name froni 
governor Benning Wentworth. — 
The first settlement commenced a 
few years before the revolutionary 
war. Articles of subsistence, po- 
tatoes and seeds for the propagation 
of vegetables, were transported 
thither from the lower part of the 
state on pack horses, hand-sleighs 
and in knapsacks. Population, in 
1830,624. 

■\Vesley, Mc. 

Washington co. We should like 
to know the particulai- circumstan- 
ces of Wesley, which doubtless 
was named in honor of one of the 
best of men that ever lived — John 
Wesley. It must be a thriving 
town, for its population, for the 
last 7 years, has increased from 80 
to 232. But very little information 
can be obtained respecting a town, 
from merely its act of incoi'poration. 

Westborougli, Mass. 

Worcester co. This town lies on 
the route of the Boston and Worces- 
ter rail road, 32 miles W^. from Bos- 
ton, 10 E. from Worcester, and 3 1-2 
N. W. from Hopkinton Springs. 
It was taken from Marlborough in 
1717. Population, 1830, 1,438; in 
1837,1,612. 

As several persons were engaged 
in a field spreading flax, in 1704, 
the Indians i-ushed upon them from 
the woods, and seized 4 boys, and 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



killed one, named Nahor Rice, 
about 5 years of age, who was the 
first while person buried in the 
town. The men made their escape 
to the house. One of the boys was 
redeemed, the others remained and 
mixed their posterity with tiie 
French and Indians. Timothy Rice, 
the youngest, 7 years of age, when 
taken, became a chief of tlie Cog- 
nawaga Indians. He visited West- 
borough in 1740, and remembered 
the house where he had lived, and 
the field where he was captured, 
and some aged people. He had 
lost the English language, and was 
accompanied by an inteipreter. He 
was sent for and visited Gov. Bel- 
cher, at Boston, but chose to return 
to his Indian habits. 

The waters of this town consist of 
some of the sources of Concord and 
Blackstone rivers, which furnish a 
good water power. There arc sev- 
eral handsome ponds in the town, 
well stocked with fish. 

The manufactures consist of 
boots, shoes, leather, axes, chairs, 
cabinet and tin wares, ploughs, 
straw bonnets, sleighs, and harnes- 
ses ; total value, the jear ending 
April 1, 1S37, .$169,476, of which 
amount $148,774 was for boots and 
shoes. 

This is a very pleasant town : 
the surface is diversified by hills 
and valleys: the soil is good, and 
appears to be cultivated by men 
who understand their business. A 
brief staten)ent of the products of 
Mr. Samuel Chamberlain's farm of 
about 100 acres, in 18.33, is here 
given. 

Butter, 3,486, lbs. $767. 

Cheese, 3,836, 221. 

Beef, . - 603. 

Pork, - - 652. 

Veal, - - 152. 



Total, $2,39.5. 

This is the native place of Eli 

AViiiTNEY. Soonafterhu gradtia- 

tt'd at Yale College, he went to 

(Georgia, where he resided many 

•3d 



years. He died, and was buried in 
the city of New Haven. The fol- 
lowing is inscribed on his monu- 
ment. 

Eli Whitney, 

the inventor of the 

Cotton Gin. 

Of useful Science and Arts, 

the efficient patron 

and improver. 

Born December oth, 1765. Died 

Jan. 8th, 1825. 

In the social relations of life, 

a model of excellence. 

While private 

affection weeps at his tomb, his 

country honors his 

memory. 

See A'civ Haven, Ct. 

West Boylston, Mass. 

Worcester co. This territory 
was a part of Boylston until 1808, 
and was first settled about the 
year 1720. It is 42 miles W. from 
Boston, and 8 N. from Worcester. 
Population, in 18-30, 1,053; 1837, 
1,.'>30. The surface of the town is 
very pleasant; the soil sood, and 
well cultivated. The Quinepoxct 
and Stillwater rivers meet the Nash- 
ua in this town. These streams fei- 
tilize a large poi-tion of the town, 
and afford a water power to propel 
a number of mills. 

There are in the town 7 cotton 
mills, and manufactures of bootK, 
shoes, leather, palm-leaf hats, cot- 
ton machinery, baskets, boxes, straw 
braid, hatchets and school appara- 
tus ; annual value about $200,000. 

The venerable Robert B. Thomas, 
author of the Farmer's Almanac, is 
a resident of this town. There ai-c 
some mineral treasures in West 
Boylston, and a sjiring, the water* 
of which are strongly impregnated 
with iron. 

AVest Bridscivalcr, Mass. 

Plymouth co. This is the sec- 
ond daughter of the venerable 
Biidsicwatcr, who found it ditficult 
to find names for her progeny. This 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



daughter was born in 1822, and al- 
though not so stout as her sisters, is 
healthy, comely and industrious. 
The manufactures of West Bridge- 
water consist of iron castings, shov- 
els, forks, lioes, ploughs, hoots and 
shoes: annual value, about $100,- 
000. West Bridge water is suppli- 
ed with mill privileges by a branch 
of Taunton river; and is 25 miles 
S. from Boston, 19 N. W. from 
Plymouth and 9 N. N. E. from 
Taunton. The number ot her chil- 
dren in 1837, was 1,145; increase 
in 7 years, 103. 

In 1820, ancient Bridgewater 
contained 5,662 chiidi-en : the whole 
family, in 1837, consisted of 7,865 
members. 

AVestbrooIc, Me. 

Cumberland co. This flourishing 
town was taken from Falmouth in 
1814. It is 52 miles S. S. W. from 
Augusta, and is bounded E. by 
Portland. The Presunipscot river 
passing through the town from west 
to east, furnishes it with rich inter- 
vales, and numerous valuable mill 
privileges. The Cumberland and 
Oxford canal also passes through 
the town. This town is noted for 
its working cattle which are said to 
equal any in the country. 

The pi'incipal place of business 
in Westbrook, is at the pleasant vil- 
lage of Saccarappa, where are large 
operations in the manufacture of 
lumber, and where has recently 
been erected, by citizens of Port- 
land, a large brick cotton mill, con- 
taining 2,900 spindles, and 104 
looms, and which is in successful 
operation. 

Stroudwater, another village, has 
some navigation employed in the 
fishery and coasting trade, and has 
been celebrated for the fine ships 
built there. In Westbrook are ex- 
tensive manufactures of tin ware 
and combs, which are sent to all 
p.irts of the United States. 

The scenery along the canal, and 
about the falls on the Prvisuinpscut, 



is very pleasant. Population, 1830, 
3,238 ; 1837, 3,755 

West Caiubridge, J>fass. 

Middlesex co. This was a par- 
ish of Cainbri<ige, called " Meno- 
tomy," until its incorporation, in 
1807. A part of the lands ai-e low 
and swampy, but the general fea- 
tures of the town are pleasant. 
Spy, Little, and a part of Fresh 
ponds lie in this town ; they abound 
with fish, and add much to the 
beauty of the place. These ponds 
cover an area of about 200 acres, 
and furnish large quantities of ice 
for transportation. In this town are 
some very pleasant villages, nu- 
merous country seats, and well cul- 
tivated farms. Large quantities of 
milk are daily taken to the Boston 
market, and this place is a consid- 
able mart for catile from the inte- 
rior country. 

Sucker brook, though a small 
stream, furnishes a good water pow- 
er. The descent of this stream is 
so great, that dams are erected in 
the town for appropiiating its wa- 
ter nine different times. The me- 
chanical operations of West Cam- 
bridge consist of dying and printing 
calico, pulverizing drugs, medi- 
cines and dye-stufis, a turning and 
sawing mill, and the manufacture 
of saws, cards, boots, shoes, cabi- 
net ware and chairs; total value, 
the year ending April 1, 1837, 
$312i500. West Cambridge is 6 
rriiles N. W. from Boston, and 12 E. 
by S. from Concord. Population, 
1830, 1,303. 

"Westei-Iy, R. I. 

Washington co. Vv'esterly is 
washed by the Atlantic ocean on 
the south, and Pawcatuck river, 
which separates this state from 
Connecticut, on the west. This 
niarilime town has its principal har- 
bor at the mouth of the Pawcatuck, 
in which vessels are built, and in 
which some navigation is employed 
in the fishery and domestic trade. 



NEW EXGLAXD GAZETTEER. 



The Pawcatuck affords a great va- 
riety of scale and shell fish. 

The surface of the town is gen- 
erally uneven; in some i)arts it 
presents rugged features. Its soil 
varies from good to bad, but its av- 
erage quality is well adapted to the 
culture of all the varieties of grains, 
grasses, fruits and vegetables com- 
mon to the climate. The business 
of the dairy is extensive and lucra- 
tive. 

The village of Patccafuck is ve- 
ry handsome ; it is finely located 6 
miles from the sea, at the head of 
navigation on the Pawcatuck, and 
at the falls on that stream. This 
village is the site of valuable man- 
ufactures, and of a large interior 
trade. It is crossed by the Provi- 
dence and Stonington rail road, and 
lies 40 miles S. S. W. from Provi- 
dence, 5 N. N. E. from Stonington, 
and 35 W. by S. from Newport. 

There are a number of pleas- 
ant ponds in the town, well stored 
with fish. Westerly was incorpo- 
rated in 1669. Population, 1830, 
1,904. Its Indian name was Mis- 
quamicut. 

"West Pairlec, Vt. 

Orange co. This town is water- 
ed bj' Ompomponoosuc river, and 
by a part of Fairlee pond. The 
surface is rough and mountainous, 
but capable of sustaining a consid- 
erable number of cattle. 

West Fairlee was chartered in 
connexion with Fairlee, in 1761; 
and incorpoi-ated as a distinct town 
in 1797. It lies 28 miles S. E. 
from Monlpelier, and 12 E. by S. 
from Chelsea. Population, 1S30, 
841. 

Westficld, Vt. 

Orleans co. A number of the 
branches of Missisque river meet 
in this town, and aflbrd a good wa- 
ter power. A part of the sur- 
face of Wesffield is mountainous; 
through which is the pass in the 
Green mountains, called Hazen's 



?«'otch. Westfield was first settled 
about the year 1800. It lies 42 
nnles N. from Monlpelier, and 44 
N. E. froiM IJurlingtoa. Population, 
1830, 353. 

AV'estficId River, Mass. 

This river, often called the Aga- 
wam, rises in the north part of 
Berksliiie county. it has many 
tributaries, and is exceedingly wild 
and romantic in many places. Its 
main branch traverses the towns 
of Plaintield, Cummington, Goshen, 
Worthington, Chesterfield, Nor- 
wich, i\Iontgomery, Russell, and 
Weftfield, and meets the Connec- 
ticut at West Springfield, 30 miles 
N. from Hartford, Ct. 

AVestfield, Mass. 

Hampden co. This is a place 
of singulai- beauty, on Westfield 
river. It lies in a valley or basin 
of about 4 miles in diameter, sur- 
rounded by high hills, and is sup- 
posed to liave been the bed of a 
lake whose waters burst the Mount 
Tom range of mountains and dis- 
charged itself into Connecticut riv- 
er. 

The Hampshire and Hampden 
canal passes through this town, and 
promises great advantages to its 
trade and hydraulic power. 

About a third part of the popula- 
tion of the village is engaged in 
making wlii|)s. The annual amount 
of that article manufactured here is 
about $160,000. There are also 
three powder mills in the town, and 
manufactui-es of tin ware, ploughs, 
boots, shoes, leather, cigars, palm- 
leaf hats, chairs, cabinet and wood- 
en wares : total annual value, about 
ii-250,000. 

The Westfield academy is in 
high standing : it has considerable 
funds, and its annual number of 
scholars is about 400. 

Westfield was first settled in 1659. 
Incorporated in 1669. It lies 99 
miles W. S. W. from Boston, 9 W. 
by N. from Springfield, and 16 S. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER, 



by W. from Northampton. Popu- 
lation, 1837,3,03!). 

Westfora, Vt. 

Chittenden co. This township 
was settled soon after the revolu- 
tionary war, by Hezekiah Panne- 
lee and others. It lies 13 miles N. 
N. E. from Burlington, and 32 N. 
W. from Montpelier. 

Westford is well watered by 
Brown's river, a branch of the La- 
moille. The surface is rough, and 
the soil good for grazing. Between 
3,.50() and 4,000 sheep are kept. 
Population, 1S30, 1,290. 

IVestforil, Mass. 

Middlesex co. This is a good 
farming town, on elevated ground, 
26 miles N. W. from Boston, and 10 
N.W. from Concord. Incorporated, 
1729. Population, 1837, 1,451. The 
surface and soil of the town are 
well adapted to the growth of grain, 
grass and fruit, and lai-ge quanti- 
ties of hay and vegetables are an- 
nuallj' sent to Boston and Lowell. 
Quantities of tine granite, common- 
ly called" Chelmsford granite," ai-e 
found here, quanied and ti-anspor- 
ted. Westford is watered by sev- 
eral beautiful ponds, and by 8toney 
brook which rises in the town and 
gives it mill privileges. 

The manufactures of Westford, 
consist of bar iron, shoes and leath- 
er: annual value, about .^25,000. 

The village is handsomely situa- 
ted on a swell of fine laud, com- 
manding a beautiful prospect, of 
great extent, and contains an Acad- 
emy of ancient date and respect- 
able standing. 

"West Green vvicli, R. I. 

Kent CO. This town was taken 
from East Greenwich in 1741, by 
which it is bounded on the east. It 
lies 18 miles S. W. from Provi- 
dence. Population, 1830, 1,818. 
This town possesses a primitive ge- 
ological character, and its surface 
presents a diversity of hills and 



valleys. Hopkin's Hill, affords an 
agreeable view of the surrounding 
country. The waters of the town 
consist of the south branch of the 
Pawtuxet, which rises here ; and of 
the upper branches of Wood river, 
which pass through it. There are 
some manufactures in the town, 
but the people are generally en- 
gaged in agricultural pursuits. 

Westlianipton, Mass. 

Hampshire co. This township is 
rough, but the soil is generally good, 
particularly for grazing. There 
is a valuable lead mine in the town ; 
about l,t)0O moi-iiio sheep are kept, 
and some hats and leather are man- 
ufactured. It lies 8 miles W. by S. 
from Northampton. Incorporated, 
1772. Population, 1837, 818. 

^Vest Haven, Vt. 

Rutland co. This town was sot 
otf from Fair Haven in 1792. It 
lies 19 miles W. fiom Rutland, and 
is bounded W. by lake Champlain, 
and S. by Whitehall, N. Y. 

This town is well watered by 
Hubbardsfon and Poultney rivers, 
and Cogman's creek; on the for- 
jner of which are handsome falls 
and mill sites. The soil is produc- 
tive of grain and grass : there is 
much limestone and clay in the 
town, and a large number of sheep 
are annually sheared. 

The site of tlie village is pleas- 
ant ; it is a place of some trade, 
navigation and manufactures. Pop- 
ulation, 1837, 724. 

"IVestniinster, Vt. 

Windham co. This town is 
bounded N. by Rockingham, E. by 
Connecticut river, and S. by Put- 
ney. It lies 82 miles S.from Mont- 
peiier, and 13 N. E. from New- 
fane. Population, 1830, 1,737. 

This town was one of the first 
settled townships in the state, and 
being situated near a fort for the 
protection of the country, it pros- 
pered rapidl}'. For some years the 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



courts of law were lield here ; here 
tlie legislature of the state held 
several sessions, and here the mas- 
sacre of the i;5th of March, 1775, 
was perpetrated. 

The surface and soil of this town 
are favorable for aafriculture ; and 
various articles of produce are an- 
nually sent to market. In 1S37, 
13,766 sheep were sheared in West- 
minster 

The principal and oldest villaoie 
is delighttuily sidiatcd in the east 
parish, on the bank of Connecticut 
river. The main street, which is 
perfectly level, crosses a table of 
land about one mile in diameter, 
considerably elevated above the 
river, and also above the large and 
fertile meadows i)y which it is ap- 
proached on the north and south ; 
and the whole is enclosed by a semi- 
circle of hills which touch the 
i-iver about two miles above and be- 
low the town. It is this barrier 
which, while it contributes to the 
natural beauty of the place, has, 
by turning the water course in an- 
other direction, deprived it of all 
those facilities of access, and of 
water power, which have so much 
contributed to the rapid growth of 
some of the neighboring villages. 

W^estiniiistcr, Mass. 

Worcester co. This town lies on 
the range of high lands which 
separate the waters of the Connec- 
ticut and Merrimack. From the 
village a prospect is presented of 
lake and mountain witli all the va- 
ried scenery which renders a New 
England town peculiarly delight- 
ful. 

Several streams, rising from large 
ponds in this town and its neigh- 
borhood, produce a consideraljle 
water power, which is improved 
for manufactures of various kinds. 
These waters are so elevated and 
constant that, with a small expense, 
they might be rendered exceeding- 
Ij' valuable. They deserve par- 
ticular attention of those in search 

39* 



of mill sites in this part of the 
state. 

This town lies 50 miles W. N. 
W. from Hoston, 20 N. by W. from 
Worcester, and 7S. W. from Fitch- 
burgh. Incorporated, 1759. Pop- 
ulation, 1830, 1,640. 

The manufactures of Westmin- 
ster consist of chairs, cabinet and 
wooden wares, hats, boots, shoes, 
straw bonnets, palm-leaf hats, card 
boards, .saddlery, and leather: an- 
nual value, about $60,000. 

Wcstmore, Vt. 

Orleans co. This town contains 
Wiiioughby's lake, a handsome 
sheet of watei-, surrounded by 
mounts ITor, Pico, and other eleva- 
tions. This lake is about 6 miles in 
length, and one and an half in 
width. Branches of Barton, Clyde 
and Passumpsic rivers rise in this 
and other ponds in the town. 

Wcstmore appears to be too high 
for the habitation of many people 
or sheep: in ll^^SO, it contained 32 
inhalntants, and in 1S37, 10 sheep. 

AVcstmorelaiid, IV. H. 

Cheshire co. Westmoreland is 
bounded N. iiy Walpole, E. by Sur- 
ry and Keene, S. by Chesterfield, 
and W. by Dujnmerston and Put- 
ney, Vt. Its distance from Con- 
cord is 65 miles S. W. Population, 
18.30, 1,647. 

This town is watered by several 
small streams which empty into 
the Connecticut. The one issuing 
from Spaflbrd's lake in Chesterfield 
is the largest, and affords some of 
the best water privileges in town. 

The present charter of the town 
was granted by New Hampshire, 
in 1752. The first settlement was 
made in 1741. The early settlers 
were seveial times attacked by the 
Indians. In one of their excur- 
sions, they killed William Phips, 
the first husband of Jemima How; 
and in another, carried Nehcmiah 
How, the father of her second hus- 
band, a captive to Canada, where 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



he died. The surface of Westmore- 
land is less varied by mountains, 
vales, rivers and ponds, than the 
neighboring towns. 

West Newbury, Mass. 

Essex CO. This is a part of the 
ancient town of Newbury, and was 
taken from it in 1819. 

Tliis pleasant town lies on the S. 
side of Meri-imack river; 3.3 miles 
N. from Boston, 20 E. fiom Lowell, 
and 4 W. from Newburyport. Pop- 
ulation, 1837, 1,448. 

This is a fine township of land, 
and many excellent farms and coun- 
try seats are found within its limits. 
Asbestos and marble are found 
here. 

Although most of the inhabitants 
of the town are professional farm- 
ers, still there are manufactures of 
bar iron, combs, chaises, leather, 
and shoes: annual value, about 
$75,000. 

■Weston, Me. 

Washington co. This town was 
incorporated in 18.15. It is the half 
township granted to Hampden 
academy. It lies a few miles west 
from Grand Lake : it is watered by 
Baskahegan river, and is about 90 
miles N. E. from Bangor. Popu- 
lation, 1837, 213. Wheat crop, 
same year, 4,70C bushels. 

Weston, Vt. 

Windsor co. West river passes 
through this town, and on its banks 
are some good land, some manufac- 
tures and two pleasant villages. It 
was set off from Andover in 1790, 
and organized as a town in 1800. 

Weston lies 66 miles S. by W. 
from Montpelier, and 22 S. W. from 
Windsor. Population, 1830, 972. 

Weston, Mass. 

Middlesex co. This is a town- 
ship of good land with a neat and 
flourishing village. It lies 14 miles 
W. from Boston, 9 S. by E. from 
Concord, and is watered by Stony 
brook. Population, 1837, 1,105. 



The manufactures of the town 
consist of boots, shoes, leather, ma- 
chinery, ploughs, chairs, harnesses, 
pottery ware, &c. : annual value, 
about $60,000. Incorporated, 1712 

Weston, Ct. 

Fairfield co. Weston was taken 
from Fairfield in 1787. It was set- 
tled in 1738. The town is watered 
by Saugatuck and Mill rivers, and 
a pleasant brook, which furnish a 
good water power. Tiiere are some 
valuable mills for manafactui'es in 
the town, but the chief business 
of the inhabitants is agricultural. 
The soil is a gravelly loam, with an 
uneven surface. 

Vv'eston is 60 miles S. W. from 
Hartford, and is bounded N. W.by 
Fairfield. Population, 1830, 2,997. 

" On Monday, the 14th of Decem- 
ber, 1SU7, at about the break of 
day, or a little after, the weather 
being moderate, calm, and the at- 
mosphere somewhat cloudy and 
foggy, a meteor or fire ball, passing 
from a northern point, disploded 
over the western part of this state, 
with a tremendous report. At the 
same time several pieces of stony 
substance fell on the earth in Fair- 
field county. One mass was driven 
against a rock and dashed in small 
pieces, a peck of which remained 
on the spot. About three miles 
distant, in the town of Weston, an- 
other large piece fell upon the 
earth, of which a mass of about 
thirty pounds weight remains en- 
tire, and was exhibited the same 
day at town meeting. A small 
mass has been sent to Yale College, 
and examined by a number of gen- 
tlemen. It was immediately per- 
ceived by Professor Silliman to 
contain a metal, and on presenting 
it to a magnet a powerful attraction 
proved it to be iron. This is, we 
believe, the first instance in the 
United States, in which the sub- 
stance of this species of meteor 
has been found on the earth, though 
it has often been found in Europe." 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



IVestport, Me. 

Lincoln co. This town is sur- 
rounded b}- the waters of Sheepscot 
river and bay, and is bounded N. 
by Wiscasset, E. by Edgecoinb and 
Boothbay, and S. and W. by Sheep- 
scot's bay and Georgetown. If is 29 
miles S. by E. from Augusta. Pop- 
ulation, 1837, 580. Incorporated 
in 1828. 

AVestport, Mass. 

Bristol CO. This town is pleas- 
antly situated on Acoakset river, 
near the mouth of Buzzard's bay, 
on the line of Rhode Island; is 
miles N. N. E. from Newport, 25 
S. from Taunton, 10 S. by E. 
from Fall River, 10 S. W. from 
New Bedford, and 60 S. from Bos- 
ton. Five vessels belong to this 
place, engaged in the whaling bu- 
siness, and a number of small ves- 
sels are employed in coasting and 
fishing. 

The value of whale oil imported 
into Westport, the year ending 
April 1, 1837, was .$53,670. The 
value of the manufactures of this 
town, the same year, was ,'S!C9,375 ; 
they consisted of cotton yarn, salt 
and hoes. The number of sheep 
sheared that year, was 2,392 ; val- 
ue of the wool, Sp2,5.51. This town 
was incorporated in 1787. Popula- 
tion, in 1837,2,618. 

IVestport, Ct. 

Fairfield co. This pleasant town 
was called Saugatuck, the name of 
a river that passes through it, un- 
til 1835. It was taken from the towns 
of Fairfield, Norwalk and Weston. 
It is about 5 miles in length from 
north to south, and is bounded E. by 
Fairfield, S. by Long Island Sound, 
and W. by Norwalk. Population, 
1835, 1,800. 

There are in the town, 2 or 3 cot- 
ton mills, 2 carriage factories, and 
manufactures of shoes, hats and va- 
rious other articles. The village is 



quite a business place, and com- 
mands considerable ti-ade. 

The Saugatuck is navigable for 
ve«;sels of 7 feet draught of water 
to the village, which is 6 1-2 miles 
\V. from Fairfield, 3 1-2 N. E. from 
Norwalk, and 27 S. W. from New 
Haven. 

About 2 1-2 miles south of the 
village of Westport, is a smooth and 
beautiful elevation, called Compo. 
It was at this place that the British 
troops landed in x\pril, 1777, when 
on their expedition to Danbury. 
They also leturned to this place 
when they embarked on board of 
their shipping. Seven or eight 
men were killed in the vicinity of 
the Congregational church in West- 
port. Ball Mountain, a conical 
eminence, covered with laige trees 
fi'om its base to its summit, is situa- 
ted a little south of the village, and 
is a striking feature in the landscape. 

AVcst Q,uodcly Head, Me. 

See Quoddy Head. 

"IVest River, Vt. 

This river rises in Weston, in the 
county of Windsor, and passing S. 
through the towns of Londonder- 
ry, Jamaica, Wardsborough, and 
Newfane, in the county of Wind- 
ham, it falls into the Connecticut at 
the north part of Brattleborough. 
This river receives many branches 
in its course, which are good mill 
streams : the main river is rather 
sluggish, and fertilizes large tracts 
of meadow. West river traverses 
a distance of about 50 miles, and 
waters a basin of 440 square miles. 

West River Mountain, N. H. 

See Chesterfield and Hinsdale. 

"West Springfield, Mags. 

Hampden co. This town is beau- 
tifully situated on both sides of 
Westfield river, at its confluence 
with the Connecticut, opposite to 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



Springfield, to wliich it is connect- 
ed by a beautiful bridge. Some 
parts of the town are rough and un- 
even, and in some parts are stony 
plains ; but the general character 
of the town in regard to soil is allu- 
vial meadow of an excellent quali- 
ty. On the summits of the hills 
and along the rivers, a great vai'iety 
of wild and delightful scenery is 
exhibited. 

There are 1 cotton and 2 woolen 
mills in the town, and manufactures 
of leather, boots and shoes; annual 
value, about .f 100,000. In 1837, 
there were 3,374 fleeces of wool 
sheared in the town, which weigh- 
ed 8,512 lbs., and sold for $5,107. 
Good iron ore is found in West 
Springfield, and a species of lime- 
stone, used for making water proof 
cement. Incorporated, 1774. Pop- 
ulation, 1837, 3,227. 

West Stoclttoridge, Mass. 

Berkshij-e co. Williams riv- 
er which rises in Richmond, runs 
through the whole length of this 
town, and gives it a great hydraulic 
power. 

This town is bounded W. by the 
state of New York, and lies on the 
route of the great western rail road 
from Boston to Albany. A part of 
the town is hilly ; but the soil is 
generally good. Along the river 
is a valley of fine land which gives 
beauty to the village, and value to 
the town. Mines of iron ore are 
found in this town, and an inex- 
haustible quantity of beautifully 
variegated marble. 

The manufactures of the town 
consist of bar iron, axes, brads, 
machinery, marble, leather, wood- 
en ware, &c; annual value, about 
$50,000. 

West Stockbridge lies 135 miles 
W. fiom Boston, 9 S. S. W. from 
Lenox, 26 E. by N. from Hudson, 
N. Y., and 87 1-2 S. E. by S. from 
Albany, by the proposed rail road. 
Incorporated, 1774. Population, in 
1837, 1,241, 



W^etlxersfleld, Ct. 

Hartford co. This town, the In- 
dian Pyquag, was one of the first 
settled towns in the state. It is 
supposed that most of the Weth- 
ersfield settlers came round from 
Boston by water, and arrived in Ju- 
ly, before the Windsor and Hartford 
settlers, who came through the 
wilderness, and did not reach the 
Connecticut until about the 9th of 
November. 

Wethersfield is bounded N. by 
Hartford, E. by Connecticut river, 
S.by Middletown, and W.by Berlin. 
It lies 4 miles S. from Hartford. 
Population, in 1820, 3,825 ; in 1830, 
3,853. 

Piper's river and other small 
streams water the town, but afford 
no important mill sites. 

The area of the town is about 6 
miles square, containing 23,000 
acres. This is an excellent town- 
ship of land, having an undulating 
surface, and exhibiting a beautiful 
diversity of hill and dale. The 
soil is generally a rich gravelly and 
sandy loam, but in the western part 
of the town, argillaceous loam pre- 
vails ; and some small sections in 
the centre, may be considered as a 
garden mould. It is well adapted 
to grass and grain, and particularly 
to esculent roots. The tract of allu- 
vial upon Connecticut river is ex- 
tensive and beautiful, and very 
pi'oductive. 

Among other agricultural inter- 
ests in this town, the cultivation of 
onions has long held a conspicuous: 
rank. This is an important agri- 
cultural pursuit, although it occu- 
pies but a small poi-tion of land, 
and the service is principally per- 
formed by females. Wethersfield 
onions have long been justly cele- 
brated, and large quantities are 
exported to the southern states and 
the West Indies for a market. 

The changing of the bed of the 
river in this town has been the oc- 
casion of much litigation respecting 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



the title to the soil. Mr. Butler, 
who owned a tract upon which tlie 
river was encroachin!;, I'ound after a 
while, sonic of his land appearing 
on the opposite side of tlie river, 
and accordingly laid claim to it. 
His claim was disputed, as he nev- 
er owned land on that side of the 
river. It was a lon;y lime before 
this case was decided. There ap- 
peared some difficulty in making 
the jury who sat on the case, to un- 
derstand the merits of the question. 
Mr. Ingersoll, a relative of the In- 
gersoll family in IS'ew Haven, was 
the counsel employed by Mr. But- 
ler. He illustrated the case by 
supposing that Mr. B. had built a 
castle on the land in question. Al- 
though the ground on which it stood 
might be overflowed, yet still it was 
his castle, and also the ground on 
which it stood, and he had a right 
to his property wherever he could 
find it. Tlie case was finally deci- 
ded in accordance with these views. 
The State Prison of Connecticut 
was erected in this town in 1S2C, 
and the prisoners from Newgate 
prison, in Granby, were removed 
here the next year. This building 
is situated on the south margin of 
the cove, which sets back from 
Connecticut river, at the north end 
of Wethersfield village. Tiie build- 
ings of the prison form very near- 
ly a quadrangle, on the south side 
of which, stands the building which 
is more properly the Prison. The 
apartments of the warden are situ- 
ated in the east end of this build- 
ing ; the centre surrounds the 
hlock of cells 4 stories high, in 
which the male prisoners are lock- 
ed up. This hall or centre is 154 
feet long, 4.3 feet wide, and .30 feet 
high ; the number of cells or night 
rooms is 200. The west end, is 
used as the female department, 
containing cells, rooms for labor, 
kitchen, and apartments for the 
matron. The east, north, and west 
sides of this quadrangle, are form- 
ed by a wall 20 feet high. With- 



in this yard are situated two ran- 
ges of shops ; one on the east side, 
and one upon tbe west, in whicli 
the convicts perform their daily la- 
bor. The passage into the prison, 
is through the warden's apartment, 
into the guard room, thence into 
the hall surrounding the cells, 
thence into the yard. This is the 
only passage, except through a 
large gate on tlie north side of tlie 
yard. 

Rocky Hill, the south parish ol 
Wetherslield, lies on a collection 
of hills which arc a continuation of 
the jMiddietown range : one of 
these eminences, Rocky hill, has 
given name to the parish. It has a 
pleasant little village on an eleva- 
ted situation, 7 miles from Hartford, 
with a landing at some distance, 
where considerable commerce and 
ship building were formerly car- 
ried on. 

jVeu'ington, the 2d society in 
Wetherslield, was formerly called 
C 010 plain. The village is pleas- 
antly situated in a foi-lile valley, 
west of Cedar mountain : the cen- 
tral part is 6 miles from Hartford, 
and 4 from Wethersfield village. 
The inhabitants are chiefly engag- 
ed in agriculture, and are distin- 
guished for their general intelli- 
gence, and attachment to the in- 
stitutions of morality and religion. 

Many years since, a gentleman 
of Ncwington, who was a very re- 
ligious and conscientious man, mar- 
ried for a wife, one of the most ill 
natured and troublesome women 
which could be found in the vicini- 
ty. This occasioned universal sur- 
prise wherever he was known, and 
one of his neighbors ventured to 
ask him the reasons which govern- 
ed his choice. The gentleman re- 
plied, that having had but little or 
no trouble in the world, he was 
fearful of becoming too much at- 
tached to things of time and sense. 
Anil he thought by experiencing 
some afflictions, he should become 
more weaned from the world, and 



NEAV ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



that he married such a woman as 
he tliought would acconiplish the 
object. The best part of tlie story 
is, that the wife hearing of the rea- 
sons why he inariied her, was 
much offended, and out of revenge, 
became one of the most pleasant 
and dutiful wives in the town, de- 
claring that she was not a going to 
be made n pack horse, to carry her 
husband to heaven. 

Wethersfield was the scene of 
one of the most horrible butcheries 
ever committed ; that of tlie Bea- 
dle family, in 1782. 

Beadle was an Englishman, and 
came to this counti-y in 1762. He 
settled in Fairfield, where he mar- 
ried, and remained until about 10 
years before this tragedy. The 
following are extracts from an ac- 
count of this event, written by a 
neighbor, and attached to the funer- 
al sermon of Mrs. Beadle and her 
childi-en. 

" When the war commenced, he 
had on hand a very handsome as- 
sortment of goods for a country 
store, which he sold for the curren- 
cy of the country, without any ad- 
vance in the price ; the money he 
laid by, waiting and expecting the 
the time would soon arrive when 
he might therewith replace his 
goods, resolving not to part with it 
until it should be in as good de- 
mand as when received by him. 
His expectations from this quarter 
daily lessoning, finally lost all hope, 
and was thi-own into a state little 
better than despair, as appears from 
his writing: he adopted apian of 
the most rigid family economy, but 
still kept up the outward appear- 
ance of his former affluence, and 
ever to the last entertained his 
friends with his usual decent hospi- 
tality, although notliing appeared 
in his outward deportnient, which 
evinced the uncommon piide of his 
heart. His writings show clearly 
that he was determined not to bear 
the mortification of being thought 
by his friends poor and dependent. 



On this subject he expresses him- 
self in the following extraordinary 
manner : ' If a man, who has once 
lived well, meant well, and done 
well, falls by unavoidable accident 
into poverty, and then submits to 
be laughed at, despised and trampled 
on, by a set of mean wretches as 
far below him as the moon is be- 
low the SUP .; I say if such a man 
submits, he must become meaner 
tlian meanness itself, and I sincere- 
ly wish he might have 10 years ad- 
ded to his natural life to punisli him 
for his folly.' 

" He tised upon the night suc- 
ceeding the 18th of November for 
the execution of his nefarious pur- 
pose, and procured a supper of oys- 
ters, of which the family eat very 
plentifully : that evening he writes 
as follows : ' I have prepared a noble 
supper of oysters, that my flock 
and I may eat and drink together, 
thank God and die.' After supper 
he sent the maid with a studied er- 
rand to a fiiend's house at some dis- 
tance, directing her to slay until 
she obtained an answer to an insig- 
nificant letter he wrote his friend, 
intending she should not return 
that evening — she did however 
return ; perhaps her return dis- 
concerted him and prevented him 
for that time. The next day he 
carried his pistols to a smith for re- 
pair : it may be, the ill condition of 
his pistols might be an additional 
reason of the delay. 

" On the evening of the 10th of 
December some persons were with 
him at his house to whom he ap- 
peared as cheerful and serene as 
usual ; he attended to the little af- 
fairs of his family as if nothing 
uncommon was in contemplation. 
The company left him about nine 
o'clock in the evening, when he 
was urgent as usual for their stay : 
whether he slept that night is un- 
certain, but it is believed he went 
to bed. The children and maid 
slept in one chamber: in the grey 
of the morning of the 11th of De- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



cember he went to (heir bed cbnm- 
ber, awaked the iiuiid and ordered 
her to rise oently, without diiturb- 
inj>' the c)iildren, wlicn she caine 
down stairs ; he g;ivc her a Hno to 
the family physici;in, who lived at 
the distance of a quarter of a mile ; 
ordered her to carry it immediately, 
at the same time declarin;i- that Mrs. 
Beadle had been ill all niiiht, and 
directin<^ her to stay until the phy- 
sician siiould come with her : this 
he repeated sundry times with a 
degree of ardor. There is much 
reason to believe he had murdered 
Mrs. Beadle before he awaked the 
maid. Upon the maid's leavini^ the 
house he immeiliatelj' proceeded to 
execute hi-i purpo-^e on the children 
and himself. It appears he had for 
some time before, carried to his 
bedside every niglit an a\e and a 
carving knife ; he smote his wife 
and each of the children with the 
axe on the side of the head as they 
lay sleeping in their hsds ; the wo- 
man had two wounds in the head, 
the skull of each of them was frac- 
tured ; he then with the carving 
knife cut their throats from ear to 
ear; the woman and little boy were 
drawn partly over the side of their 
beds, as if to prevent the bediling 
from being besmeared with blood : 
the thi-ee daughters were taken 
from tiie bed and laid upon tlie floor 
side by side, like three lambs, be- 
fore their throats were cut ; they 
were covered with a blanket, and 
the woman's ficc with a handker- 
chief. He then proceeded to the 
lower floor of the house, leaving 
marks of his footsteps in blood on 
the stairrJ, carrying with him the 
axe and knife, the latter he laid on 
the fable in the room where he was 
found, reeking with the blood of his 
family. Perhaps he had thoughts 
he might use it against himself if 
his pistols should fail. It appears he 
then seated himself in a Windsor 
chair, with his arms supported by 
the arms of the chair; he lixed the 
muzzles of the pistols into his two 



cars, and fired them at the s.ime in- 
stant: the balls went through the 
head in transverse directions. Al- 
though the neighbors were very 
near and some of them awake, 
none heard the report of the pis- 
tols. 

" The line to the physician ob- 
scurely announced the intentions 
of the man ; the house was soon 
opened, but alas, too late ! The 
bodies were pule and motionless, 
swimming in their blood, their faces 
white as mountain snow, yet life 
seemed to tremble on their lips : 
description can do no more than 
faintly ape and trifle with the real 
ligure. 

" Such a tragical scene tilled ev- 
ei-y mind with the deepest distress : 
nature recoiled, and was on the 
rack with distorting passions : the 
most poignant sorrow and tender 
pity for the lady and her innocent 
babes, who were the hapless vic- 
tims of the brutrtl, studied cruelty 
of an husband and father, in whose 
embraces they expected to lind se- 
curity, melted every heart. Shock- 
ing effects of pride and false notions 
about religion ! 

" To paint the first transports 
this affecting scene produced, when 
the house was opened, is beyond 
my reach. Multitudes of all ages 
and sexes were drawn together by 
the sad tale. The very inmost 
souls of the beholders were wound- 
ed at the sight, and torn by con- 
tending passions. Silent grief, 
with marks of astonishment, were 
succeeded by furious indignation 
against the author of the allecting 
spectacle, which vented itself in 
incoherent exclamations. Nature 
itself seemed rudled, and refused 
the kindly aid of balmy sleep for a 
time. 

" Near the close of the day on 
the 12th of December, the bodies 
being still unburicd, the people 
who had collected in great num- 
bers, grew almost frantic with 
rage, and in a manner demanded 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



the body of the murderer: the law 
being silent on the subject, it was 
difficult to determine where decen- 
cy required the body should be 
placed : many proposed it should 
be in an ignominious manner where 
lour roads met, without any coffin 
or insignia of respect, and perfora- 
ted by a stake. Upon which a 
question arose, where that place 
could be found Avhich might be 
unexceptionable to the neighbor- 
hood, but no one would consent it 
should be near his house or land. 
After some consultation it was 
thought best to place it on the bank 
of the river between high and low 
water mark : the body was handed 
out of the window and bound with 
cords on a sled, with the clothes on 
as it was found, and the bloody 
knife tied on his breast, without 
coifin or box, and the horse he usu- 
ally rode was made fast to the sled : 
the horse, unaccustomed to the 
draught, proceeded with great un- 
steadiness, sometimes running full 
speed, then stopping, followed by a 
multitude, until arriving at the wa- 
ter's edge, the body was tumbled 
into a hole dug for the purpose, like 
the carcase of a beast. 

"On the 13th of December, the 
bodies of the murdered were in- 
terred in a manner much unlike 
that of the unnatural murderer. 
The remains of the children were 
borne by a suitable number of 
equal age, attended by a sad pro- 
cession of youths of the town, all 
bathed in tears ; side by side the 
hapless woman's corpse was car- 
ried in solemn procession to the 
parish church yard, followed by a 
great concourse, who with affec- 
tionate concern and every token 
of resj)ect were anxious to express 
their heartfelt sorrow in pertbrm- 
ing the last mournful duties. 

" The person of Mr. Beaille was 
small, his features striking and full 
of expression, with the a-^pect of 
fierceness and determination ; his 
mind was contemplative ; when 



once he had formed an opinion, he 
was remarkably tenacious: as a 
merchant or trader, he was esteem- 
ed a man of strict honor and integ- 
rity, and would not descend to any 
low or mean artifice to advance his 
fortune. He was turned of 52 
years of age when he died. 

" Mrs. Beadle was born at Ply- 
mouth in Massachusetts, of reputa- 
ble parents, a comely person, of 
good address, well bred, and unus- 
ually serene, sincere, unaffected 
and sensible. She died in the mid- 
dle of life, aged 32 years. 

" The children, (the eldest of 
which was a son, aged 12 years, 
the other three, daughters, the 
youngest aged 6 years) were such 
as cheered the hearts of their par- 
ents, who were uncommonly fond 
of displaying their little virtues and 
excellencies, and seemed to antici- 
pate a continuance of growing pa- 
rental satisfaction: alas, like early, 
tender buds nipped by untimely 
frosts, they did but begin to live ! 

" It is more than probable, that 
this man had for months past desir- 
ed that some or all of his children 
might be taken out of the woild by 
accident : he removed all means of 
secui-ity fi-om a well near his house, 
which he was careful heretofore to 
keep covered. His little boy he 
often sent to swim in the river, and 
has been heard to chide the child 
for not venturing further into deep 
water than his fears would suffer 
him. He has at times declared it 
would give him no pain or uneasi- 
ness to follow his children to the 
grave : his acquaintance knew 
these expressions could not arise 
from want of affection or tender- 
ness for his children, but rather 
imagined him speaking rashly in 
jest. He ever spoke lightly of 
death as a bugbear the world cause- 
lessly feared. It appears from his 
writings, he at first had doubts 
whether it was just and reasonable 
forliim to deprive his wife of life, 
and ort'ers against it only this reason, 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



that he had no hand in bringing 
her into existence, and consequent- 
ly had no power over her life. 
She set out on tlie 7th of Novem- 
ber on a journey to Fairfield, which 
he thought was by direction of 
Heaven to clear him of his doubts 
and remove her out of the way, at 
the time the business was to be 
done ; and his intention was to have 
executed his design on himself and 
children in her absence. She pro- 
ceeded no further than New Ha- 
ven, and by reason of some disap- 
pointment, returned ten days earlier 
than expected : he appeared cha- 
grined at her early return, and soon 
began to invent some justifying 
reasons for depriving her of life 
also. He finally concludes it would 
be unmerciful to leave her behind 
to languish out a life of misery and 
wretchedness, which must be the 
consequence of the surpiising death 
of the rest of the family, and that 
since they had shared the frowns 
and smiles of fortune together, it 
would be cruelty to her, to be di- 
vided from them in death." 

AV'cybridsfe, Vt. 

Addison co. AVeybridge is wa- 
tered by Otter Creek, which af- 
fords it good mill sites. Lemonfair 
river, a sluggish stream, also waters 
the town. Some parts of the town 
are mountainous, but the soil is gen- 
erally good : the basis being lime- 
stone, it yields good crops, and pas- 
tures about 6,000 sheep. It lies 30 
miles S. by E. from Burlington, and 
is bounded on the S. E. by Middle- 
bury. Population, 1830, 850. 

■Weymoutli, Mass. 

Norfolk CO. This was the sec- 
ond settlement made by white 
men in New England. Mr. Thom- 
as Weston, a respectable merchant 
of London, who had been active 
in promoting the interests of the 
IMymouth colonists, sent two ships 
and 50 or GO men to plant a colony 
at this place, in the year 1622. The 

4J 



fate of the colony was as unfortu- 
nate as the designs of Mr. Weston 
were philanthropic. By the iinjnst 
and wanton conduct of his agents 
towards the natives, the colony 
would have been totally destroyed, 
were it not for the timely assistance 
afforded it by a band of men from 
the Plymouth Colony, commanded 
by the gallant Standish. The col- 
ony was broken up, and Mr. A\'es- 
ton lost his life on the coast in at- 
tempting to reach it. This place, 
the Indian JVessagusset, named 
Weymouth from a town in England, 
was however permanently settled 
by the Kev. William Morrill, Capt. 
Robert (ieorges and others, in the 
year 1624. 

The surface of the town is pleas- 
antly diversified by hills and val- 
leys. Some of the elevations are 
commanding, and present delight- 
ful views of Boston harbor, Mas- 
sachusetts bay and the adjacent 
country. The soil is a strong grav- 
elly loam, with a granitic super- 
structure. 

This town was formerly noted 
for its excellent dairies, particular- 
ly for its cheese of a superior ricli- 
ncss and flavor; but little of W'hieh 
is now made in consequence of 
the increased value of the lands. 

Weymouth is finely watered by 
large and beautiful [londs, aiul \iy 
two important arms of Boston har- 
bor, called Fore and Back rivers. 
These rivers are navigable for large 
vessels, and at their head are valua- 
ble mill privileges. Between these 
rivers, and between the towns of 
Braintree and Hingham is a largo 
tract of gently swelling land of 
good soil, extending to Quincy, 
and is united to " Quincy Point " 
by a bridge across Fore river. 
Over this ground the turnpike road 
between Quincy and Hingiiam 
passes. 

There arc several pleasant vil- 
lages in Weymouth, but the prin- 
cipal place of business in the town 
is at " Weymouth Landing," so 



NEW EXf;LA?vD GAZETTEER. 



called, or Washington Square, at 
the head of Fore river, on the line 
of Braintree. This place, being 
at the head of navigation for a large 
and flourishing section of country, 
haslongenjoyed, and musteverpos- 
sess superior privileges as a place 
of trade. About 1,000 tons of ship- 
ping is owned here, employed in 
the fishery and domestic trade. 
At this place are a number of 
wharves, ware houses, a steam saw 
mill, and manufactures of various 
kinds. Ship building is carried on 
to some extent, and large quanti- 
ties of lumber, flour, grain, lime, 
coal, wood, &c., are annually sold. 

This village lies on the Ply- 
mouth and New Bedford roads, 11 
miles S. by E. from Boston, 24 N. 
N. W. from Plymouth, 14 S. E. 
from Dedham,5 W. from Hingham, 
and 9 S. S. W. from Boston Light. 

The village at the south part of 
the town is pleasantly situated on 
elevated ground, about 3 miles S. 
from Washington Square. The 
people here are extensively enga- 
ged in the manufacture of boots and 
shoes. 

Stages pass between these villa- 
ges and Boston, daily; and pack- 
ets, for the transportation of mer- 
chandize, navigate the rivers about 
nine months in the year. 

The roads in this section of the 
country are remarkably tine, and 
many citizens of Boston make Wey- 
mouth their summer residence. 

The manufactures of the town 
are various, but those of leather, 
boots and shoes, are the most con- 
siderable. The annual amount of 
these manufactures varies from 
$500,000 to $800,000. 

Weymouth was incorporated in 
1635. Population, 1820, 2,404; 
1330, 2,8.39 ; 1837, 3,387. 

This ancient town has been the 
birth place and residence of many 
men of great usefulness in society. 
Among the number, the name of 
Cotton Tufts, M. D., M. M. 
S. S. A. A. S., will long be re- 



membered as a revolutionary patri- 
arch and skillful physician. 

■^Vhately, Mass. 

Franklin co. This town lies on 
the west side of Connecticut river, 
9 miles N. from Northampton, 11 
S. from Greenfield, and 92 W. by 
N. from Boston. Incorporated in 
1771. Population, in 1837, 1,140. 
There are some pine plains, and a 
part of Sugar Loaf mountain ex- 
tends into the town from Deerfield ; 
still there are some tracts of good 
intervale land on the Connecticut, 
and smaller streams, by which it is 
watered. 

The number of sheep in Whately, 
in 1837, was 1,630 ; weight of wool, 
4,953 lbs. : value, $2,8'62. There 
are 3 woollen mills in the town, 3 
tanneries, 3 distilleries, and manu- 
factures of gimblets, augers, ham- 
mers, brooms, brushes, palm-leaf 
hats, boots, shoes, pocket-books, &c. 
Annual value, about .^90,000. 

■\Vlieelocli, Vt. 

Caledonia co. There is some 
good land in this town, but a great 
part of it is mountainous or hilly, 
and fit only for the pasturage of 
sheep, of which about 3,000 are 
kept. The streams flow N. W. into 
the Lamoille ; and S. E. into the 
Passu mpsic. 

This town was granted in 1785, 
to the charity school at Dartmouth 
College, and named in honor of 
John Wheelock, who was, at that 
time, president of that institution. 
Wheelock lies SO miles N. N. E. 
from Montpelier, and 9 N. from 
Danville. Population, 1830, 834. 

■^VUeel^vrigUt's Pond, N. H. 

See Lee. 

Wliite River, "Vt. 

This is the largest stream in the 
state on the east side of the Green 
Mountains. It waters a basin of 
about 700 square miles, and traver- 
ses in its course from Kingston, in 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



Addison county, about 60 miles. It 
passes throu2;h Hancock, Rochester, 
and Pittsticid, in Rutland county, 
and Stockbrid!:;e, Bethel, Koyalton, 
and Sharon, in Windsor county, to 
its fall into the Connecticut at Hart- 
ford, about 5 miles above the mouth 
of Quecchy river. White river 
receives many large tributaries ; 
the most considerable of wliich are 
the three branches, so called, from 
the north ; and Broad brook and 
Locust creek from the south. This 
stream and its branches, afiford a 
great hydraulic power; and large 
tracts of country are fertiUzed by 
its waters. It passes through a 
country of lofty mountains, deep 
ravines and fertile valleys ; the 
scenery of which is much enhanc- 
ed by the devious course of this 
beautiful river. 

White Cap Moitntain, Me. 

See Jlndover. 

AVhitenelrt, Me. 

Lincoln CO. Sheepscot river pass- 
es through this town, giving it fer- 
tility, beauty, and a good water 
power. It lies 16 miles S. E. from 
Augusta, and 14 N. from Wiscas- 
set. Incorporated, 1809. Popula- 
tion, in 1837, 2,136. Wheat crop, 
same year, 3,637 busliels. 

WKiteneld, ]V. II. 

Coos CO. This is an irregular 
townsliip, lying S. from Lancaster, 
W. from Jelferson, N. from Carroll 
and Bethlehem, and E. from Dalton. 
It is 120 miles N. from Concord. 
Its soil is generally thin and light, 
of easy cultivation and tolerably 
good ; though in the N. part low 
spruce swamps abound. In this 
town lie part of Blake's, Long, 
Round and Little river ponds, be- 
side two other small ponds. The 
second of these is a beautiful pond 
of considerable size, abounding with 
fish. John's river passes throtigh 
this town. Whiteficld was granted 
July 4, 1774, to Josiah Moody and 



others, and soon after settled by 
Maj. Burns and others. Popula- 
tion, 1S30, 685. 

■\Vhltclicacl, Me. 

Lincoln co. An Islan<l off the 
town of St. George, with a light 
and tower 30 feet in height. The 
light bears about S. W. by S. 9 miles 
from Owl's Head. 

AVIiite Mountains, N. II. 

These mountains are situated in 
the county of Coos, in the north 
part of the state. They extend 
about 20 miles from S. W. to N. 
E., and arc the more elevated parts 
of a range extending many miles 
in that direction. Their base is 
about 10 miles broad and their cen- 
tral latitude is 44° 15' N., and 71° 
20' W. lonffitude. 

The Indian name of these moun- 
tains, according to Dr. Belknap, 
was Agiocochook. An ancient tra- 
dition prevailed among the savages, 
that a deluge once overspread the 
land, and destroyed every human 
bein£r, except a single powow and 
his wife, who sheltered themselves 
in these elevated regions, and thus 
preserved the race from extermi- 
nation. The fancy of the natives 
peopled this mountain with beings 
of a superior rank, who were invis- 
ible to the human eye, but some- 
times indicated their presence by 
tempests, which they were believ- 
ed to control with absolute authori- 
ty. The savages therefore, never 
attempted to ascend the summit, 
deeming the attempt perilous, and 
success impo'<sil)le. But they fre- 
quented the defiles and environs of 
the mountain, and of course propa- 
gated many extravagant descrip- 
tions of its appearance ; declaring, 
among other things equally cred- 
ilile, that they had seen carbun- 
cles at immense heights, which, in 
the darkness of night, shone with 
the most brilliant and dazzling 
splendor. 

President Alden states, that the 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



White mountains were called by 
one of the eastern tribes Waum- 
bekketmethna: Waumbekket si2;ni- 
fies white, and methna, mountains. 

Before we attempt a description 
of these mountains, we shall en- 
deavor to direct the traveller in 
his course, from the east, the south 
and the west, to this magnificent 
exhibition of Almighty power. 

Routes from Boston, through 
Concord, JST. H. Travellers take 
the rail road to Lowell, pass to 
Nashua, by rail road, and then by 
stage through Amoskeag to Concord, 
or take the Mammoth i-oad at Low- 
ell, through Manchester and Lon- 
donden-y, or pass through Andover 
and Haverhill, Mass. The distance 
from Boston to Concord, by the 
Mammoth road, is 65 miles : by 
Nashua, 72, and by the way of 
Haverhill, 70 miles. From Con- 
cord you pass to Meredith bridge, 
either by the Shaker village in 
Canterbury, 12 miles; or Sanborn- 
ton bridge, 16 miles from Concord. 
The distance from Concord to Pvler- 
edith bridge is 26 miles. From 
Meredith bridge to Meredith vil- 
lage, is 9 miles ; from thence to Cen- 
tre Harboi-, at the north westei-n 
extremity of Winnepisiogee lake, 
is 4 miles. Here you have a fair 
view of the lake for 15 miles, and 
here you can be accommodated 
with a passage down the lake, to 
Alton, any day in the season of nav- 
igation. From Centre Harbor to 
Moultonborough is 5 miles, to Sand- 
wich, 2, to Tamworth, 12 ; to Eaton, 
6, to Conway, 8, to Bartlett, on the 
south east side of the mountains, 
10 ; to the entrance of the Notch, 
12 miles ; and from thence to the 
"Crawford House," is 12 miles. 
The Crawford house is about 9 miles 
from the summit of Mount Wasli- 
ington. About two thirds of this 
distance is traveled by horses, pro- 
cured at tlie accommodation house 
of Crawford ; the residue is traveled 



on foot, by a pretty good path, cut 
lor the purpose. The total distance 
from Boston to the base of Mount 
Washington, is 171 miles. These 
are very pleasant routes : you pass 
through the capital of New Hamp- 
shire, a beautiful town ; you enjoy 
a great variety of delightful and ro- 
mantic river and lake scenery, and 
are accommodated with good houses, 
gentlemanly landlords, skillful and 
obliging stagemen. 

Theie is another route from Con- 
cord to these hills, by the way of 
Plymouth, through the Franconia 
Notch, that is very pleasant and 
frequently traveled. From Con- 
cord through Boscawen, Frank- 
lin, Andover, Hill, Bristol, and 
Bridgewater, to Plymouth, is 40 
miles; from thence, througli Camp- 
ton, Thornton, Peeling, Lincoln, 
to Littleton, through the Franconia 
Notch, is 40 miles. From Littleton 
to Crawford's, is 18 miles. Total 
distance from Boston, by this route, 
163 miles. 

From Plymouth to Littleton the 
roads are remarkably good, and 
the landscape delightful; but the 
scenery is not so beautiful as by the 
Winnepisiogee, nor so magnificent 
as through the Notch of the White 
Mountains. 

The Portsmouth and Dover 
route, from pjoston, is very pleasant : 
you exchange the beautiful scene- 
ry along the Merrimack, for a visit 
to some of our most delightful At- 
lantic towns. On this route we pass 
through the principal towns of Sa- 
lem, Beverly, Ipswich, Newbury- 
port, Hampton, to Portsmouth, 56 
miles from Boston. From thence we 
go to Dover, 12 miles, to Alton, 
at the southeastern extremit}'- of 
Winnepisiogee lake, 28 miles; from 
thence up the lake, by steam boat, 
to Centre Harbor, 20 miles, and 
from thence, to Crawford's, at the 
base of Mount Washington, as by 
the Concord route. Total distance, 
by this route. 183 miles. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



The Portland route, from Bos- 
ton, by steam boat and stage, is 
another very pleasant way to reach 
this mouniainous region. You 
leave Boston in the evening, on 
board one of our beautiful, sea- 
worthy steamers, and take an early 
breakfast, the next morning, at 
our friend Haskell's, at the " Elm 
House," in Portland. The distance 
from Boston to Portland is about 120 
miles ; but distance, in this case, is 
generally lost in sleep. After 
breakfast you take the northern 
stage, and passing through Gorham 
and other towns, to Fryeburgh, you 
arrive at Conway, (the centre of all 
the eastern routes,) 57 miles from 
Portland, and find excellent accom- 
modations for the night. The next 
day you have ample time to go to 
the Crawford house, and to prepare 
for an aerial excursion the next 
morning. The distance from Bos- 
ton, in this way, is 211 miles. This 
is the most expeditious route, and 
has the charms of both ocean and 
inland scenery. 

The Connecticut River route, to 
the " Crystal Hills," is full of 
beauty in almost all its course. You 
leave Hartford and ascend one of 
the most delightful rivers in the 
world, to Littleton, N. H.,a dis- 
tance of 1S8 miles. Some of this 
distance may be travelled by water, 
but the most agreeable mode of 
travelling is by land, on either 
side of the river. As you pass 
the principal towns of Springfield, 
Northampton, Dccrfield, Green- 
field, Brattleboro', Walpole, Wind- 
sor, Hanover, Norwich, Haverhill 
and Newbury, you are charmed 
with all the varieties of sceneiy, 
which elevated mountains, placid 
and rapid waters, a wide, luxuriant 
and densely populated alluvial basin 
can j'ield. The distance from Lit- 
tleton through Betlilehom to Craw- 
ford's House is IS miles. Total dis- 
tance from Hartford, by this route, 
206 miles. 

40* 



T7ie Hudson River Route. Ex- 
cursions to these mountains from 
New York by the Hudson river. 
Lake Champlain, and back by the 
way of Boston or Hartford, affords 
our southern and western friends 
a rich repast of New York and New 
England scenery. 

The distances on the Hudson 
from New York to Troy are given 
under Long Island Sound. 

From Troy to the far famed Min- 
eral Springs, at Balhton and Sara- 
toga, is a pleasant ride, by the rail 
road. The distance to the former 
is 2.), and to the latter 32 miles. 
The distance from Albany to Sara- 
toga Springs, by the way of Sche- 
nectady, is 36 miles. 

The waters of these springs have 
long been justly celebrated for fheir 
medicinal and exhilarating quali- 
ties ; and a vast number from all 
parts of the United States, and even 
fi-om foreign countries, resort to 
tlicm, eitlier for health, or to join 
the gay and fashionable throng who 
hold an annual festival around these 
hygeian fountains. 

The accommodations at these 
villages, for the entertainment of 
strangers, are of the first order : 
no expense seems to be spared to 
render them acceptable to their 
numerous visitants. 

These springs are numerous, but 
generally contain the same sub- 
stances, only in a greater or less 
quantity. The most celebrated of 
them is the Congress, at Saratoga, 
which has given, in analysis, 471,5 
strains muriate of soda ; 178,4 3-4 
carbonate of lime ; 16,5 carbonate 
of soda ; 3,3 1-2 carbonate of mag- 
nesia, and 6,1 3-4 carbonate of iron, 
to one gallon of water : carbonic 
acid gas, 343 cubic inches. Tem- 
perature through the year, 50° of 
Farenheit. 

A few miles east from Saratoga 
village is Fish Creek, memorable 
as the scene of the surrender of 
Burgoyne's army, of 5,791 men. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



to the Americans, under General 
Gates, October 17, 1777. 

From Troy to Whitehall, N. Y., 
is 70 miles by stage, and 72 by the 
Champlain canal. In this distance 
we pass Bemis' Heights, and forts 
Miller, Edward, and Anne ; im- 
portant stations during the revolu- 
tionary war. 

Wliitehall is at the southern ex- 
tremity of lake Champlain, and at 
the junction of the canal with the 
lake. This place is an important 
location for tiade on Lake Cham- 
plain, and of an extensive tract of 
country. Tlie lake is navigable 
here for all classes of lake vessels ; 
and from this place steam boats ply 
along the shores of this beautiful 
lake to St. Johns in Lower Canada. 
This is a pleasant and flourishing 
town, and a great thoroughfare for 
travelers in the season of naviga- 
tion. It is situated in the county 
of Washington, and contains a pop- 
ulation of about 3,500. 

About a dozen miles west from 
Whitehall lays Lake George, cele- 
brated for the purity of its waters, 
its enchanting island and mountain 
scenery, its salmon trout, and above 
all, for its history, as connected with 
the memory of our fathers in their 
glorious struggle for liberty. 

This lake is about 35 miles in 
length, and averages about 2 miles 
in breadth. It discharges its wa- 
ters into Lake Champlain, near the 
ruins of Ticonderoga, by an outlet 
of 3 miles in length ; in which dis- 
tance the fall is about 150 feet. 

On some of the islands in this 
lake, crystals of quartz are found of 
uncommon transparency and per- 
fection of form. 

Rogers^ Rock, is on the west 
side of the lake, near the outlet. 
It rises abruptly between 300 and 
400 feet. It received its name 
from a Major Rogers, who, to elude 
his Indian pursuers, deceived them 
by asscending the rock, throwing 
his pack into the lake, and chang- 
ing his snow shoes heels foremost ; 



thus inducing them to believe that 
he had leaped into the lake. 

This is indeed one of the most 
beautiful and romantic sheets of 
water in the world. 

From Whitehall to Burlington, 
Vermont, is 70 miles. On this 
route we pass the memorable for- 
tresses of Ticonderoga and Crown 
Point; Mount Independence, and 
a great number of beautiful towns 
which skirt the lake on each side. 

Opposite to Charlotte, Vermont, 
11 miles S. from Burlington, in the 
town of Essex, N. ¥., is Split 
Rock, a great natural curiosity. 
This rock projects into the lake 150 
feet. The point is separated from 
the main rock al)out 20 feet: it con- 
tains about half an acre, and is cov- 
ered with trees. The height of the 
rock, on each side of the opening, 
is about 20 feet ; and appears to 
have been rent asunder by some 
great convulsion. 

From the beautiful town of Bur- 
lington we cross the mountains to 
Montpelier, situated in a delightful 
valley amid the hills. The distance 
is oS miles. On this route we travel 
along the romantic banks of the 
Winooski ; we listen to the rushing 
of its waters down its mountain 
course ; view its foaming cataracts, 
and stop to admire the wonderful 
fissures and fantastic mechanism, 
whicli, in the course of ages, that 
stream has wrought, by its ceaseless 
current, amid these adamantine 
hills. 

From Montpelier we pass to Con- 
necticut river, and Littleton, N. H., 
a distance of 40 miles, and from Lit- 
tleton to the base of ]\Iount Wash- 
ington, a distance of 18 miles. 

By this route from the city of 
New York, the distance is 386 
miles : from that city by the way 
of Stonington, Providence, and the 
nearest route from Boston, tlie dis- 
tance is 383 miles. This route 
may be varied so as to enjoy the 
beauties of Winnepisiogee lake, 
by leaving Troy, 150 miles, for 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



Bennina;ton, 30 miles, 180 ; Biat- 
tleborough, 40— 220 ■, Keene,20— 
240 ; Concord, 53— 295 ; to the base 
of tlie mountains, 106 ; total dis- 
tance, 401 miles. 

These mountains arc the highest 
in New England ; and, if we except 
the Rocky mountains, whose height 
has not been ascertained, they arc 
the most lofty of any in the United 
States. Theh- great elevation has 
always rendered them exceeding- 
ly interesting both to the aborigi- 
nal inhabitants and to our ances- 
tors. They were visited by Neal, 
Jocelyn, and Field as early as 
1632 : they gave romantic accounts 
of their adventures, and of the ex- 
tent and sublimity of the mountains. 
They called them the Crvstal 
Hills. 

Since that time this raountainous 
region has been repeatedly explor- 
ed by hunters and men of science. 
Their height has been a subject of 
much speculation ; but from the 
best surveys. Mount Washington 
is 6,234 feet above the level of the 
sea. The following is the height 
of the principal mountains above 
Connecticut river at Lancaster, 
to wit : 

Mount Washin_q;ton, - 5,850 feet. 
" Adams, - - 5,383 
" Jefferson, - 5,231 
Madison, - - 5,039 
Monroe, - - 4,932 
Franklin, - 4,170 
" La Fayette, - 4,339 
Although these mountains are 65 
miles distant from the ocean, their 
snow white summits are distinctly 
visible, in good weather, more than 
50 miles from shore. Their ap- 
pearance at that distance is that of 
a silvery cloud skirting thehoiizon. 
The names here given are those 
generally appropriated to the differ- 
ent summits. Mount Waahin^ton 
is known by its superior elevation, 
and by its being the southern of 
the three highest peaks. Mount 
Adams is known by its sharp termi- 
nating peak, and being the second 



north of Washington. Jefferson 
is situated between these two. 
Madison is the eastern peak of 
the range. Monroe is the first to 
the south of Washington. Franklin 
is the second south and is known by 
its level surface. La Fayette is 
known by its conical shape, and be- 
ing the third south of Washington. 
The ascent to the summits of these 
mountains, though fatiguing, is not 
dangerous ; and the visitant is rich- 
ly rewarded for his labor and curi- 
osity. In passing from the Notch 
to the highest summit, the travel- 
ler crosses the summits of Mounts 
La Fayette, Franklin and Monroe. 
In accomplishing this, he must pass 
through a forest, and cross several 
ravines. These are neither wide 
nor deep, nor arc they discovered at 
a great distance ; for the trees fill 
them up exactly even with the 
mountain on each side, and their 
branches interlock with each other 
in such a manner, that it is very 
difficult to pass through them, and 
they are so stiff and thick as almost 
to support a man's weight. Mount 
La Fayette is easily ascended. Its 
top, to the extent of 5 or 6 acres, 
is smooth, and gradually slopes 
away in every direction from its 
centre. It even has a verdant ap- 
pearance, as it is every where cov- 
ered with short grass, which grows 
in little tufts to the height of four 
or five inches. Among these tufts, 
mountain flowers are thinly scat- 
tered, which add life and beauty to 
the scene. The prospect from this 
summit is beautiful : to the N. the 
eye is dazzled with the splendor of 
Mount Washington ; N. W. are 
seen the settlements in Jefferson ; 
W. the courses of the Amonoosuck, 
as though delineated on a map : S. 
W. the Moosehillock and Haystack 
are discovered ; S. Chocorua peak; 
S. E. the settlements and moun- 
tains in Bartlett; E. only dark 
mountains and forests. On descend- 
ing this mountain, a small patch of 
water is found at its base ; from 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



which the ascent is gradual to the 
summit of Mount Franklin. After 
crossing this mountain, you pass 
over the east pinnacle of Mount 
Monroe, and soon find yourself on 
a plain of some extent, at the foot 
of Mount Washington. Here is a 
fine resting-place, on the margin of 
a heautiful sheet of water, of an 
oval form, covering about 3-4 of an 
acre. The waters are pleasant to 
the taste, and deep. Not a living- 
creature is to be seen in the waters, 
at this height on the hills ; nor do 
vegetables of any kind gi-ow in or 
around them, to obscure the clear 
rocky or gravelly bottom on which 
they rest. A small spring discharg- 
es itself into this pond at its south- 
east angle. Another pond, of about 
2-3 its size, lies N. W. of this. 
Directly before you, the pinnacle 
of Mount Washington rises witli 
majestic grandeur, like an immense 
pyramid, or some vast Ki-emlin in 
this magnificent city of mountains. 
The pinnacle is elevated about 1 ,300 
feet above the plain, and is compo- 
sed principally of huge rocks of 
granite and gneiss piled together, 
presenting a variety of colors and 
forms. 

In ascending, you must pass enor- 
mous masses of loose stones ; but 
a walk of half an hour will gener- 
ally carry you to the summit. The 
view from this point is wonderfully 
grand and picturesque. Innumer- 
able mountains, lakes, ponds, riv- 
ers, towns and villages meet the de- 
lighted eye, and the dim Atlantic 
stretches its waters along the east- 
ern horizon. To the N. is seen the 
lofty summits of Adams and Jeffer- 
son ; and !o the east a little detach- 
ed from the range stands Mount 
Madison. Mount Washington is 
supported on the N. by a high riilge, 
which extends to Mount Jefferson ; 
on the N. E. by a large grassy plain, 
terminating in a va-t spur extend- 
ing far away in that direction ; E. 
by a promontory, which breaks off 
abruptly at St. Anthony's Nose ; S. 



and S. E. by a grassy plain, in sum- 
mer, of more than 40 acres. At 
the southeastern extremity of this 
plain, a lidge commences, which 
slopes gracefully away towards the 
vale of the Saco ; upon which at 
short distances from each other, 
arise rocks, resembling, in some 
places, towers ; in others, repre- 
senting the various orders of archi- 
tecture. 

It would be vain in us to attempt 
a description of the varied wonders 
which here astonish and delight the 
beholder. To those who have vis- 
ited these mouutains, our descrip- 
tions would be tame and unin- 
teresting ; and he who has never 
ascended their hoary summits, can- 
not realize the extent and magnifi- 
cence of the scene. These moun- 
tains are decidedly of primitive 
formation. Nothing of volcanic 
origin has ever yet been discover- 
ed on the most diligent research. 
They have for ages, probably, ex- 
hibited the same unvarying aspect. 
No minerals are here found of much 
rarity or value. The rock which 
most abounds, is scliistus, intermix- 
ed with o'l'eenstone, mica, granite 
and gneiss. The three highest 
peaks are composed entirely ot 
fragments of rocks heaped together 
in confusion, but pretty firmly fix- 
ed in their situations. These rocks 
are an intermediate substance be- 
tween gneiss and micaceous schis- 
tus ; they are excessively rough 
and coarse, and grey, almost black, 
with lichens. The mica in them is 
abundant, of different colors, red, 
black, and limpid, and though some- 
times several inches in diameter, yet 
most often irregularly stratified. 
The granite contains emerald, tour- 
maline, of which are found some 
beautiful specimens, and garnets, 
besides its proper constituents. 
Crystals of quartz, pyrites, actin- 
ote, jasper, porphyry, fluate of lime, 
and magnetic iron ore, are some- 
times obtained. 

DurinsT 9 or 10 months of the 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



year, the summits of the mountains 
are covered with snow and ice, giv- 
ing them a bright and dazzling ap- 
pearance. On every side arc long 
and winding gulleys, deepening in 
their descent to the plains below. 

Here some of the finest riv- 
ers of New England originate. 
The Saco flows from the east side 
of the mountains ; the branches of 
the Androscoggin from the north ; 
the Amonoosuclc and oilier trilnita- 
ries of the Connecticut from tlie 
west ; and the Pemigewasset from 
the south, its fountain being near 
that of the Saco. The sides of the 
hills are in many parts covered with 
soil ; but this is very superficial in 
all cases, and every spot, that can 
be reached by running water, is 
left destitute of every thing but 
rocks and pebbles, of wliich like- 
wise the river bottoms are exclu- 
sively composed. In these cold 
and elevated regions, the period for 
the growth of vegetables is ex- 
tremely brief; the mountains must 
be forever sterile. Moss and li- 
chens may be found near the sum- 
mits, but of meagre and scanty 
growth — looking as if they liad 
wandered from their proper zone 
below, into these realms of barren 
desolation. 

A visit of Mr. Vines to the White 
Mountain.^, described by Winthrop, 
is woithy of notice. It was per- 
formed in the month of August, 
1642, by him in company with 
Thomas Gorges the deputy-gover- 
nor. Darby Field, who was liv- 
ing at Exeter, 1G39, has the credit 
of being the first traveller to these 
mountains. His journey also is 
described by AVinthrop, who says it 
was performed in the year 1632. 
He appears to have returned by 
the way of Saco. " The report he 
brought," says Winthrop, " of shin- 
ing stones, &c. caused divers others 
to travel thither, but they found 
nothing worth their pains. Mr. 
Gorges and Mr. Vines, two of the 
magistrates of Sir F. Gorges' prov- 



ince, went thither about the end of 
this month," (August.) They set 
out, probably, a few days after the 
return of Field, dazzled by visions 
of diamoruls and other precious 
minerals, with which the fancy of 
this man had garnished his story. 
" They went up Saco river in birch 
canoes, and that way they found it 
90 miles to Pegwaggct, an Indian 
town, but by land it is but 60. Up- 
on Saco river thoy found manj' 
thousand acres of rich meadow, but 
there are 10 falls which hinder 
boats, &c. From the Indian town 
they went up hill (for the most 
part) about 30 miles in woody lands, 
then they went about? or 8 miles 
upon shattered rocks, without tree 
or grass, very steep all the way. 
At the top is a plain about 3 or 4 
miles over, all shattered stones, 
and upon that is another rock or 
spire about a mile in height, and 
about an acre of ground at tlie. top. 
At the top of the plain arise 4 great 
rivers, each of them so much wa- 
ter at the fir.st issue as would drive 
a mill : Connecticut river from two 
heads at the N. W. and S. W., 
which join in one about 60 miles 
off; Saco river on the S. E. ; Am- 
ascoggin, which runs into Casco 
bay, at the N. E. ; and the Ken- 
nebeck at the N. by E. The 
mountain runs east and west 30 or 
40 miles, hut the peak is above all 
the rest. Thej' went and returned 
in 15 days." This description of 
the mountains was probably com- 
municated by Mr. Vines to Gov. 
AVinthrop. It conveys a very accu- 
rate idea of them, as they now 
strike the traveller. 

Tlie JS^utchof the Mini e Moun- 
tains, is a phrase appropriated to a 
very narrow defile, extending two 
miles in length between two liuge 
cliffs apparently rent asunder by 
some vast convulsion of nature : 
probably that of the deluge. The 
entrance of the chasm on the east 
side, is formed by two rocks stand- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



ing perpendicular at the distance of 
22 feet from each other : one about 
20 feet in height, the other about 
12. The road from Lancr.ster to 
Portland passes tlirough this notch, 
following the course of the head 
stream of the Saco. 

The scenery at this place is ex- 
ceedingly beautiful and grand. The 
mountain, otherwise a continued 
range, is here cloven quite down 
to its base, opening a passage for 
the waters of the Saco. Tlie gap 
is so narrow, that space has with dif- 
ficulty been found for the road. 
About half a mile from the entrance 
of the chasm is seen a most beau- 
tiful cascade, issuing from a moun- 
tain on the right, about SOO feet 
above the subjacent valley, and 
about 2 miles distant. The stream 
passes over a series of rocks almost 
perpendicular, with a course so lit- 
tle broken as to preserve the ap- 
pearance of a uniform current, and 
yet so far disturbed as to be per- 
fectly white. This beautiful stream, 
which passes down a stupendous 
precipice, is called by Dwight, the 
Silver Cascade. It is pi-obably one 
of the most beautiful in the world. 

At the distance of 3-4 of a mile 
from the entrance of the chasm is 
a brook, called the Flume, which 
falls from a height of 240 or 250 
feet over three precipices — down 
the two first in a single current, 
and over the last in three, which 
unite again at the bottom in a small 
basin formed by the hand of nature 
in the rocks. The water is pure 
and transparent, and it would be 
impossible for a brook of its size to 
be modelled into more diversified 
or delightful forms. 

It is by no means strange that 
the unlettered Indian fancied these 
regions to be the abodes of celes- 
tial beings ; while the scholar, with- 
out a stretch of fancy, in calling to 
mind the mythology of Greece, 
might find here a fit place for the 
assemblies and sports of the Dry- 
ads, Naiads and Orcades. 



Avalanches or slides from the 
mountains. On the 28th of Au- 
gust, 1S26, there occurred one of 
the most remarkable floods ever 
known in this mountainous region ; 
and which was attended by the 
awful calamity of the destruction 
of a whole family, by an Avalan- 
che or slide fi-om the mountains. 

These Avalanches, as they are 
termed in Switzerland, are produced 
by heavy rains : they commence 
generally near the highest limits 
of vegetation on the mountains, 
which, on some of them, is near 
their summits ; the slides widening 
and deepening in their downward 
course, carrying along all the trees, 
shrubbery, loose rocks and earth 
from their granite foundation. At 
this time there were probably thou- 
sands of acres reft from the sides of 
the mountains and carried to the 
valley in the Notch below. 

The house inhabited by Capt. 
Samuel Willey and his family, stood 
on the westerly side of the road, 
in the Notch, and a few rods distant 
from the high bluff which rises 
with fearful rapidity to the height 
of 2,000 feet. Adjoining was a 
barn and woodhouse ; in front, was 
a beautiful little meadow covered 
with crops, and the Saco passed 
along at the foot of the easterly pre- 
cipice. 

Nearly in range of the house, 
a slide from the extreme point of 
the westerly hill came down in a 
deep and hoTrible mass to within 
about five rods of the dwelling, 
where its course appears to have 
been checked by a large block of 
granite, which, falling on a flat 
surface, backed the rolling mass for 
a moment, until it separated into 
two streams, one of which rushed 
down by the north end of the house, 
crushing the barn, and spreading 
itself over the meadow ; the other 
passing down on the south side, 
and swallowing up the unfortunate 
beings, who probably attempted to 
fly to a shelter, which, it is said. 



NEW ENGLAND CAZF.TTEER. 



had been erected a few rods dis- 
tant. This shelter, whatever it 
might have been, was completely 
overwhelmed : rocks weighing 10 
to 50 tons being scattered about the 
place, and indeed in every direc- 
tion, rendering escape utterly im- 
possible. The house remained un- 
touched, though large stones and 
trunks of trees made tearful ap- 
proaches to its walls, and the mov- 
ing mass, which separated behind 
the building, again united in its 
front.' The house alone could 
have been their refuge from the 
horrible uproar around, the only 
spot untouched by the crumbling 
and consuming power of the storm. 
The family consisted of 9 per- 
sons ; Ca|)t. Willey, his wife, 5 chil- 
dren, ami two men by the names 
of Nickerson and Allen. 

Travelers visiting this section of 
^country, in autumn, will be gratified 
with the rich and vai'ied beauties of 
Autumnal foliage, common in this 
country, but more particularly so 
at the north ; and which is thus 
described by Dr. Dwight. 

" The bosom of botii ranges of 
mountains was overspread, in all the 
inferior regions, by a mixture of 
evergreens, with trees, whose leaves 
are deciduous. The annual foliage 
had been alread}' changed by the 
frosts. Of the effects of this change 
it is, perhaps, impossible for an in- 
habitant of Great Britain, as 1 have 
been assured by several foreigners, 
to form an adequate conception, 
without visiting an Amei-ican for- 
est. When I was a youth, I re- 
marked, that Thompson had entire- 
ly omitted, in his seasons, this fine 
part of autumnal imagery. Upon 
enquiring of an English gentleman, 
the probable cause of the omission, 
he informed inc,that no such scene- 
ry existed in Great Britain. In this 
country it is often among the most 
splendid beauties of nature. All 
the leaves of trees, which are not 
evergreens, are by the first severe 



froit changed from their verdure 
towards tiio perfection of that color, 
whicli they are capable of ultimate- 
ly assuming, through yellow, or- 
ange, and red, to a pi-etty deep 
brown. As the frosts affects dilTer- 
ent trees, and the different leaves 
of the same tree, in very different 
degrees ; a vast multitude of tinc- 
tures are commonly found on those 
of a single tree, and always on 
those of a grove or forest. These 
colors, also, in all their varieties 
are generally full; and in many in- 
stances are among the most exquis- 
ite, which arc found in the regions 
of nature. Different serfs of trees 
are susceptible of different de- 
grees of this beauty. Among them 
the maple is preeminently distin- 
guished by the prodigious varie- 
ties, the finish, beauty, and the in- 
tense lustre, of its hues ; varying 
through all the dyes, between a rich 
green and the most perfect crimson ; 
or more definitely, the red of the 
prismatic image." 

Wliiting, 3Ie. 

Washington co. This town lies 
at the head of Machias bay, and is 
Vt'atered by several ponds and a 
good mill stream. It lies 1.12 miles 
E. N. E. from Augusta, and 6 N. 
E. from Machias. Incorporated, 
1325. Population, 1837, 462. 

Wlxitiiig, Vt. 

Addison co. Whiting lies 40 
miles S. W. from INIontpelier, and 
10 S. from Middlebury. It is 
washed on the eastern border bj' 
Otter Creek, but is without any 
valuable mill stream. 

This is a fine farming town: the 
soil is composed partly of marl, and 
aff^jrds excellent crops of grain and 
hay : about 7,000 sheep are kept 
here. Some years since fish were 
introduced from the lake, to Otter 
Creek, at this place, and have been 
found to multiply exceedingly. 

Wliiting was first settled in 1772. 
It Avas named in honor of John 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



Whiting of Wrentham, Mass. Pop- 
ulation, 1830, 65.3. 

IVIiitiiigliaiii, Vt. 

Windham co. Deerfield river 
passes throu2:h this town and forms 
considerable tracts of valuable in- 
tervale. The suiface of the up- 
lands is diversified ; with a good 
soil for sheep, of which many are 
kept. 

Sawdawga pond, in Whitingham, 
is rather a curiosity. It is a hand- 
some sheet of water, covering 
about 500 acres. For many years 
past earth has been forming over 
its surface, and from 75 to 100 acres 
of land now rise and fall with the 
waters of the pond. 

Among the first settlers of Ver- 
mont, many remarkable instances of 
lon5,evity and fecundity are found. 
A Mr. Pike had 28 children; 19 
of whom were living a few years 
since ; the youngest aged 25 years. 
Mr. Benjamin Cook died in this 
town, a few years since, aged 106 
years. He had followed the busi- 
ness of shoemaking through life. 
He celebrated his hundredth birth 
day by making a pair of shoes, 
without the use of spectacles. 

Whitingham was first settled in 
1773. It lies 17 miles W. by S. 
from Brattleborough, and 18 E. S. 
E. from Bennington. Population, 
1830, 1,477. 

IVickforS Village, R,. I. 

See ATorth K'ingston. 

W ilbraliani, Mass. 

Hampden co. The people of 
this pleasant town are pi-incipally 
employed in agricultural pursuits, 
and are remarkable for equality of 
property. This town is watered 
bj' the Chickopee and several of its 
small tributaries. The surface is 
agreeably diversified by hills and 
valleys, and the soil is well adapted 
to agricultural and horticultural 
pursuits. The products of ^Vil- 
braham are numerous; among oth- 



ers, the weight of 2,292 fleeces of 
wool, sheared in this town in 1837, 
was 6,110 pounds, valued at $3,669. 
There are some manufactures in 
the town of boots, shoes, leather, 
straw bonnets, palm-leaf hats, wag- 
ons, &c. 

The " Wesleyan Academy," in 
Wilbraham,is an institution of great 
value, and in high reputation. It 
has considerable funds, and about 
240 scholars attend throughout the 
year. Scholars are received at this 
seminary fiom ten years of age 
and upwards. The annual cost to 
a scholar, for board and tuition, is 
from ^30 to $90. This insliUilion 
was incorporated in 1824, and is 
governed by a board of trustees. 

Great excitement existed in this 
quiet town and vicinity by the 
murder of Marcus Lyon, on the 
9th of November, 1S05. The mur- 
der was committed by two foreign- 
ers, Halliganand Daley, who were 
hanged at Northampton on the 5th 
of June, 1S06. 

Wilbraham lies 80 miles W. S. 
W. from Boston, and 10 E. from 
Springfield. It was incorporated 
in 16-53. Population, 1837, 1,802. 

■Williams' Rivers. 

Williams' river, in Vermon', is 
formed in Chester by the union of 
three considerable bi-anches, which 
originate in small streams in the 
townships of Ludlow, Andover, 
Windham, and Grafton. These 
three branches unite about a mile 
and a half to the southeast of the 
two villages in Chester, and their 
united waters, after running 15 
miles in a southeasterly direction, 
fall into Connecticut river in Rock- 
ingham, three miles above Bellows' 
Falls. Along this sti-eam is some 
fine intervale, and it affords several 
good mill privileges. Williams' 
river derives its name from the 
celebrated Rev. John Williams, 
who was taken by the Indians at 
Deerfield, Ma>=;s., in 1704, and who, 
at the mouth of this stream, preach- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



cd a sermon to his fellow captives. 
Williams' river, in Massachu- 
setts. See JVest Stockbridge. 

Willianisbui-gli, Me. 

Piscataquis co. This town was 
incorporated in 1820. in 1834 the 
easterly part of the town was set 
off and called Barnard: this fact 
was unknown to the editor when 
the first pages of this edition were 
printed. 

The lands in Williamsburgh and 
Barnard are undulating, heavily 
wooded, with a fertile soil. The 
population of Willianisb\irgh, in 
1837, was 120. 

Williamsburgh and Barnard are at 
present but thinly settled ; but in 
consequence of a vast body of slate 
for rooting houses and other ])urpo- 
.ses being found within their limits, 
the lands within these towns must 
enhance in value and increase in 
population. These quarries are 
common to both towns; they lie at 
an elevation of from 150 to 200 feet 
above Pleasant river, a branch of 
the Penobscot, which passes their 
northern and eastern borders, about 
two miles distant. 

These quarries are inexhaustible 
in quantity, and are stated to be 
fully equal to the celebrated Welsh 
slate. They are situated 40 miles 
N. from Bangor; and, by the Ban- 
gor and Piscataquis rail road, now 
in operation to Orono ; and in pro- 
gress from Orono to these quari'ies, 
the Bangor of the new world seems 
likely to become as celebrated for 
its fine slate as the Bangor of the 
old. See Barnard. 

'Williamsliurgli, Mass. 

Hampshire co. The surface of this 
town is elevated and uneven ; but 
it is pleasant, and has a warm and 
fertile soil. It is watered by a good 
stream which meets the Connecti- 
cut at Northampton. It lies 8 miles 
N. W. from Northampton, and 100 
W. from Boston. Incorporated in 
1771. Population, 1837, 1,345. 

41 



The manufactures of the town 
consist of woolen cloth, (3 mills,) 
boots, shoes, leather, hats, iron cast- 
ings, a.\es, gimlets, screw drivei's, 
augers, punches, bitts and biit 
stocks, flexible and japan buttons, 
stocking yarn, and lather boxes; 
annual value, about ,*!200,000. — 
The value of buttons, manufactur- 
ed the year ending April 1, 18;57, 
was $102,500. 

In 1837, there were 2,815 sheep 
sheared in this town, whose fleeces 
weighed 8,362 pounds, and sold lor 
5,017. 

AVllliamstowu, "Vt. 

Orange co. This town lies on the 
height of land between Onion and 
White rivers ; 10 miles S. E. from 
Montpeiier, and about the same dis- 
tance N. W. from Chelsea. First 
settled, 1784. Population, 1S3(), 
1,487. This mountain town pro- 
duces good crops of grain and Jiay. 
It pastures about 7,500 sheep. 

The "Gulf Road," so calK-d, 
between Royalton and Montpeiier, 
passes through this town. This 
mountain pass is some miles in 
length, wild and picturesque. The 
mountains on each side of the gulf 
are very high, and the sides are 
so steep as to leave only a nariow 
passage for the turnpike, and a 
gurgling blanch of White river on 
the south side, and of a biancli ol' 
Onion river on the north. 

W'illiamsfowii, Mass. 

Berkshire co. Tliistown is situ- 
ated in a large and fertile valley, 
surrounded by romantic elevations, 
and watered by Iloosack and (irecn 
rivers. These beautiful streaui-- 
unite their hydraulic powers and 
fertilizing qualities, to render this 
remote valley a scene of compe- 
tence and peace, and a delightful 
retreat for the muses. 

Williamstovvn lies at the N. W. 
corner of the state, on the lines of 
Vermont and New York ; 135 miles 
W. by N. from Boston, 27 N. tiom 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



Lenox, and 36 E. by N. from Al- 
bany, N. Y. It was incorporated 
in 1765. Population, 1837, 1,981. 

There are 1 cotton and 2 woolen 
mills in the town, and manufactu- 
res of potatoe starch, cabinet ware, 
chairs, palm-leaf hats, shovels, hats, 
leather, &c. : annual value about 
$75,000. 

The number of sheep in this 
flourishing a2;ricultural town, in 
the year 1837, was 8,000— viz: 
2,000 Saxony, 5,800 Merino, and 
200 common. The fleeces of these 
sheep weighed 23,200 lbs., and 
sold for $13,965. 

The village in this town is de- 
lightfully situated on a gentle rise 
from the river. The buildings are 
generally tastefully constructed and 
command a great variety of superb 
scenery. This town contains a te- 
pid spring, of some repute in cu- 
taneous diseases. 

Williams College, in this town, 
is handsomely located. It derived 
its name from Col. Ephraim 
Williams, a native of Newton, 
and a distinguished benefactor of 
Williamstown. Col. Williams was 
a man of talents, brave, witty, po- 
lite and popular. He commanded 
the line of forts on the west side 
of Connecticut river, in the French 
and Indian wars from 1740 to 1748. 
In 1755, he received the command 
of a regiment, and joined general 
Johnson. He fell at the head of 
1,200 men, near lake George, on the 
Sthof September of that year. Col. 
Williams, being a bachelor, gave 
the most of his estate for the estab- 
lishment of a free grammar school 
at this place. The school went in- 
to operation in 1791, and in 1793 
the legislature vested it with col- 
lege privileges. See Register. 

"Willimantic River, Ct. 

Also Village, see Windham. 

Willington, Ct. 

Tolland CO. This town was sold 
by the Connecticut colony, to Rog- 



er Wolcott, Esq. and others, for 
JC510, in the year 1720. It is about 
7 miles in length, and 4^ in width. 
There is an abundance of granite 
in the town, and good iron ore. 
The surface is uneven and the soil 
hard. The AVillimantic and other 
streams give Willington some ex- 
cellent mill privileges, some of 
which are profitably improved. — 
There are about 2,500 sheep in the 
town. Population, in 1830, 1,305. 
It is 24 miles N. E. from Hartford, 
and bounded W. by Tolland. 

AVilliston, Vt. 

Chittenden co. This is an ex- 
cellent farming town of a rich soil, 
with an uneven surface, but not 
mountainous. It is very produc- 
tive of all the varieties common to 
a northern climate: its product of 
wool, in 1837, was 9,225 fleeces. 
Willistonis watered by Onion river, 
and some smaller streams ; but its 
water power is small. It is 27 miles 
W. N. W. from Montpelier, and is 
bounded on the W., by Burlington. 
Population, 1830, 1,608. 

Thomas Chitteivdeiv was the 
father of this town. He came here 
in 1774. He was a member of the 
convention, which, in 1777, declar- 
ed Vermont an independent state, 
and was active in procuring its ad- 
mission into the Union. When the 
Vermont Constitution was estab- 
lished, in 1778, Mr. Chittenden was 
selected as a candidate for gover- 
nor ; to which office he was annu- 
ally elected, with the exception of 
one year, till his death in 1797. He 
was 67 years of age. 

AVilinington, Vt. 

Windham co. The east and west 
branches of Deerfield river unite 
in this town, which, with the waters 
of Beaver and Cold brooks, and 
of Ray's pond, a large and beauti- 
ful sheet of water; a valuable mill 
power is produced. There are 
some tine tracts of lard in the town, 
and a considerable portion that is 



NEW EN^GLAXD GAZETTEER. 



rough and hard to till. There are 
a number of mills of various kinds 
in the town, and a pleasant and 
thriving village. 

Wilmington was settled before 
the revolutionary war, but increas- 
ed but slowly until the peace. It 
lies 46 miles S. S. W. from Wind- 
sor, 14 S. W. from Newfane, and 
17 E. from Bennington. Popula- 
tion, 1830, 1,367. 

Wilminston, Mass. 

Middlesex co. The surface of 
this town is generally level, with a 
light and sandy soil. The wood is 
chiefly pine, and much charcoal is 
made. This kind of soil, although 
unfit for the generality of crops, is 
well adapted for the growth of 
hops, of which large quantities, of 
a fine quality, are produced in 
Wilmington, and which frequently 
afford the cultivator a large profit. 

During the period of 32 years, 
1806 — 1837, inclusive, there were 
inspected at Charlestown, Mass. 
76,860 bags of hops, weighing 
16,467,182 lbs. The price varied 
from 34 to 5 cents a pound. The 
highest price was in 1817, the low- 
est, in 1819 ; average price, 13 1-5 
cents. Total value, $2,169,430. 

The town is watered by a branch 
of Ipswich river : the Middlesex 
canal passes through it, and adds 
much to the beauty of its scenery. 
Wilmington was incorporated in 
1730. It is 14 miles N. N. W.from 
Boston, and 10 S. E. by E. from 
Lowell. Population, 1837, 795. 

Wilmot, N. H. 

Merrimack co. Wilmot is 30 
miles N. W. from Concord, and 
87 from Boston. The streams form- 
ing Blackwater river have their ori- 
gin in the vicinity of Wilmot. — 
They afford a number of good mill 
seats. The 4th N. H. turnpike 
from Concord to Hanover passes 
through this town. It was made in 
1803, through an entire forest, with- 
out any inhabitants for 14 miles 



above, and about 6 miles below 
Wilmot. The land near the turn- 
pike appears rude and barren ; but 
the acclivities on either side are 
susceptible of cultivation. The 
town is composed of hills and val- 
leys, presenting a rough surface. 
Tliere are no large collections of 
water, nor any mountains, excepting 
Kcarsarge, whose summit forms the 
southern boundary. It was incor- 
porated June 18, 1807. It receiv- 
ed its name in honor of Dr. Wilmot, 
an Englishman, who, at one time, 
was supposed to be the author of 
the celebrated letters of Junius. 
Population, 1830, 835. 

W^ilson, Me. 

This town was incorporated in 
1836, as " township number 9 in 
the 9th range, north of the Waldo 
Patent in the county of Somerset." 
We repeat, that but very little in- 
formation respecting a town is gain- 
ed from its act of incorporation. 
We beg our friends " Down East" 
to wi'ite to us. 

AVilton, Me. 

Franklin co. This is one of the 
most flourishing agricultural town- 
ships in the state. It has a fertile 
soil, a beautiful surface, and two 
pleasant villages. It lies a little 
distance from Sandy river, 5 or 6 
miles S. W. from Farmington, and 
38 W. N. W. from Augusta. 

Wilton has an adequate water 
power for common purposes, pro- 
duced by streams issuing from 
beautiful |)onds in the town. The 
people are principally agricultural- 
ists, and tested their skill in that 
delightful pursuit, in 1837, by pro- 
ducing 11,071 bushels of good clean 
wheat. 

Wilton was incorporated in 1803. 
Population, in 1830, 1,140; 1837, 
2,102. 

Wilton, N. H. 

Hillsborough co. This town is 
bounded S. by Mason, and W. by 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



Temple. It is 9 miles W. by S. 
from Amherst ami 37 S. by W. 
from Concorfl. Soubegan is the 
principal river. Its main branch 
enters this town near the S. W. 
corner and proceeds in a N. E. 
course till it forms a junction with 
several branches running I'rom 
Lyndeborough and Temple. These 
flow thiough the N. part, and are 
sufficiently large for mill streams. 
On these streams are some valuable 
manufactures, and a pleasant village 
has sprung up within a few yeais. 
This town has neither mountains, 
ponds or swamps. It is in general 
of strong and excellent soil. Good 
clay is found in plenty near the 
streams. There are several quar- 
ries of excellent stone for splitting 
and hewing. The first settlement 
was made in 173S, by 3 families 
from Danvers, Mass., 2 by the 
name of Putnam, and 1 by the name 
of Dale. Hannah, the daughter 
of Ephraim Putnam, was the first 
child born in town. The town 
was incorporated June 25, 1762, 
and derived its name from Wilton, 
an ancient borough in Wiltshire, 
England. A distressing accident 
occurred in raising the second 
meeting house, September 7, 1773. 
The frame fell, and three men were 
instantly killed ; two died of their 
wounds soon afterward, and a num- 
ber of others were badly injured. 
On July 20, 1804, the same meet- 
ing house was struck by lightning 
and considerably shattered. Pop- 
ulation, 1830, 1,0.39. 

Wilton, Ct. 

Fairfield co. Wilton was taken 
from the north part of Norwalk, in 
1802. The surface of the town is 
broken by two ridges of hills, but 
the soil is a gravelly loam and pro- 
ductive of grain and a great variety 
of fruit. Agriculture is the prin- 
cipal business of the inhabitants. 
The town is watered by Norwalk 
river, and has a satinet factoiy 
and other mechanical operations by 



water. A classical school, of high 
reputation, was established here in 
1818, by Hawley Olmstead, Esq. 
This school is worth a million of 
the silver mines that were discov- 
ered and worked in this town dur- 
ing the revolutionary war. Wilton 
lies 34 miles W. S. W. from New 
Haven, and 6 N. from Norwalk. 
Population, 1330, 2,095. 

Wiiiclieudoii, Mass. 

Worcester co. This town was 
incorporated in 1764. It is 60 miles 
N. W. by W. fiom Boston, and 34 
N. N. W. from Worcester. Pop- 
ulation, 1830, 1,463; 1837,1,802. 
The surface of the town is uneven 
and rocky, with a strong soil, which, 
when subdued, is quite productive 
of grain, grass and fruit trees. 
There are fine quarries of granite 
in the town ; and a spring tinctured 
with iron and sulphur, but which 
is less visited than formerly. Mil- 
ler's river rises in this town and 
Ashburnham, and afibrds conven- 
ient mill seats. There are 2 pleas- 
ant villages in the town, a cotton 
mill, a woolen mill, and manufac- 
tures of cotton and wool bobbins, 
leather, palm-leaf hats, chairs, cab- 
inet and wooden wares : annual 
value, exclusive of cotton goods, 
about $100,000. 

Tinder Warner, N. H., we gave 
an account of a frightful tornado in 
that and the neighboring towns in 
1S21. It appears that this part of 
the country was visited by a simi- 
lar desolation, at the same time, 
more than 40 miles distant. A 
Worcester paper thus desci-ibes it : 

" About 6 o'clock, Sunday even- 
ing, September 9th, a black and 
terrific cloud appeared a little south 
of the centre of Nortli field, Frank- 
lin county, nearly in the form of a 
pyramid reversed, moving very i-ap- 
idly and with a terrible noise. In its 
progress it swept away or prostrat- 
ed all the trees, fences, stone walls, 
and buildings which came with- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



in its vortex, which in some places 
was not more than 20 rods and in 
others 40 or 50. It passed from 
Northtield through Warwick and 
Orange, to the southwesterly part 
of Royalston, where its force was 
broken by Tully Mountain. Its path 
was strewed for the distance of 25 
miles, through the towns of Royals- 
ton, Winchendon, Ashhurnhain and 
Fitchburg, with fragments of build- 
ings, sheaves of grain, bundles of 
corn stalks, clothing, &,c. 

" Several persons were killed 
and wounded, numerous houses, 
barns, &.c. demolished, and many 
domestic animals, in the track of the 
tornado, were destroyed. Large 
trees were taken 200 feet into the 
air, and logs which would require 
4 oxen to remove them were swept 
out of the bed of Tully river where 
they had lain for more than half a 
century. The ground was torn up 
from the river to the mountain, 
about 40 rods, from 1 foot to 6 feet 
deep. The surface of the earth 
was broken throughout the whole 
course of the whirlwind, as with 
the plmighshare of destruction. 
Stones of many hundred pounds 
weight, were rolled from their beds. 
Lots of wood were whirled into 
promiscuous heaps, with roots and 
tops, and tops and roots. The ap- 
pearance presented by the track of 
the whirlwind, indicated, as near as 
the writer can judge from actual in- 
spection, that the form of the cloud, 
and the body of air in motion, was 
that of an inverted pyramid, draw- 
ing whatever came within its in- 
lluence towards the centre of mo- 
tion." 

AViucIiester, N. II. 

Cheshire co. This pleasant town 
is bounded N. by Svvanzcy and 
Chesterfield, E. by Richmond, W. 
by Hinsdale, and S. by Massachu- 
setts line. It lies i:i miles S. W. 
from Keene, 65 S. W. from Con- 
cord, 80 W. from Boston, 80 N. from 
Hartford, Ct., and 12 E. from Brat- 

41* 



tlebo', Vt. Population, 1837, 2,500, 
The face of this town is diversified 
with hills and valleys. The soil is 
of an excellent quality, furnishing 
in abundance, all the agricultural 
products natural to this section of 
the country. Ashuelot river pass- 
es through the centre of this town, 
affording a number of mill privi- 
leges, and is bordered on each bank 
by extensive intervales, of a fer- 
tility rarely excelled. 

There are other small streams run- 
ning in various directions through 
the town, affording facilities for wa- 
ter power. 

The centre village is on the S. 
E. bank of the Ashuelot, and the 
principal street, running parallel 
with its border, has a number of 
dwelling houses, with stores and 
shops, 3 meetinghouses, an elegant 
district school house, saw and grist 
mills, shops for turning wood and 
iron, an extensive establishment 
for the manufacture of musical in- 
struments of all kinds, and 2 organ 
manufactories; and, at the lower 
end, the street is adorned with a 
beautiful row of native ever-green 
trees, which extends nearly half a 
mile. 

Two miles west is another con- 
siderable village, containing 1 large 
woolen factory, 1 cotton factory, 1 
satinet factory, saw, grist and oil 
mills, two furnaces, together with 
shops, stores, meeting houses, &c. 

In the S. E. part of the town 
there are saw mills, grist mills, 
clothier's works, and 1 satinet fac- 
tory. 

This town was sacked by the In- 
dians, and the inhabitants taken 
prisoners or driven off in 1745 or '6, 
and did not return under about 5 
years to resume the settlement of 
the place. The former name of the 
town was Arlington, and it was in- 
corjjorated by its present name in 
1753. 

Winchester, Ct. 

Litchfield co. Winchester was 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



incorporated in 1771. Population, 
1830, 1,766. The geological char- 
acter of the town is primitive ; the 
rocks consisting of granite, mica 
.slate, &.C. The soil is gravelly, 
hard and coarse : it alTords good 
grazing, and its products of butter, 
cheese and wool are considerable. 

The Borough of Clifton was in- 
corporated in 1832. It is a flour- 
ishing village, consisting of about 
sixty or seventy dwelling houses, 
and 4 mercantile stores. The vil- 
lage is principally built in a nar- 
row valley, on the banks of a mill 
stream, called Mad river, which is 
a tributary of Farmington river. 
The valley at this place is but bare- 
ly of sufficient width to admit of a 
street, with buildings on each side, 
the ground rising immediately in 
every direction. Westward of the 
main street in the village, a road 
passes up a steep hill for nearly a 
quarter of a mile, where, upon an 
elevated plain, is an interesting lake 
or pond, which is one of the largest 
bodies of water in the state, being 
3 1-2 miles in length and 3-4 of a 
mile in breadth. Tiie outlet of 
this lake presents a novel scene ; 
it consists of a small stream, com- 
pressed within a narrow channel, 
and literally tossed from rock to 
rock till it unites with Mad river. 
Most of the manufacturing estab- 
lishments in the village are situa- 
ted on this outlet, upon which there 
are some of the best natural sites 
for hydraulic works in the state. 
In this village are fourlarge scythe 
factories, one machine shop, and 
five forges. The ore to supply 
these forges is brought from Ca- 
naan, Kent and Salisbury. 

Winsted, or the East village, is 
very pleasant, and contains a large 
woolen mill, an extensive clock 
factory, an iron foundry, and an 
axe factory. This village is 26 
miles N. W. from Hartford, 49 N. 
by W. from New Haven, and 17 N. 
by E. from Litchfield. 

Winchester lies within the " ev- 



ergreen district," so named from 
the forests of hemlock and other 
evergreen trees with which it 
abounds. These " Green Woods " 
present one of the most impressive 
scenes which can be found in an 
American forest. The blanches 
of the trees are thickly covered 
with a deep green foliage, closely 
interwoven overhead, nearly exclu- 
ding the light of the sun. The 
scene forcibly reminds the con- 
templative traveler of the words of 
Thomson, in his celebrated hymn : 

" Oh, talk of Him in solitary glooms ! 
Wtif^re, o'ertlie rock ihe scarcely waving pine 
Fills the brown shaiie with a religious awe." 

Windliain, Me. 

Cumberland co. Windham lies 
on the N. E. side of Presumpscut 
liver, which separates it from Gor- 
ham. It is 76 miles S. W. from 
Augusta, and 14 N. N. W. from 
Portland. This is a valuable farm- 
ing town, and the inhabitants are 
principally employed in agricul- 
ture. Branches of the Presump- 
scut give the town good mill priv- 
ileges. There are 2 pleasant vil- 
lages in the town, some manufac- 
tures, and several beautiful fish 
ponds. Population, 1837, 2,207. 

AVindliani, N. H. 

Rockingham co. This town is 
34 miles S. by E. from Concord, 
and 45 W. S. W. from Portsmouth. 
Policy pond lies in this town and 
Salem, about one half in each. 
Cabot's pond lies E. of tlie centre 
of the town. Golden pond is in 
the south, and Mitchel's in the 
northeast part of the town. Bea- 
ver river or brook forms the W. 
boundary, upon which are some 
meadow lands. The town is also 
well supplied with small streams. 

Windham was originally a part 
of Londonderry ; and was detached 
and incorporated in 1739. The in- 
habitants, principally derived from 
the first settlers of Londonderry, 
have firmly adhered to the religious 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



principles of their fathers, to the 
doctrines and forms of the presby- 
terian clmrch as orisiinaliy estab- 
lished in Scotland, and administer- 
ed in this country. Population, 
1S30, 998. 

Wiudliam Coituty, A't. 

JVetrfane is the shire town. — 
This county is bounded N. by Wind- 
sor county; E. by Connecticut riv- 
er ; S. by the state of Massachu- 
setts, and W. by the county of Ben- 
nington. It contains an area of 
about 7S0 square miles. Popula- 
tion, 1810, 26,7G0; 1820, 28,457; 
1S30, 28,743. Incorporated, 1789. 
For some years it bore the name of 
Cumberland. Population to a square 
mile, 37. 

The surface of the county is 
much broken by hills and valleys: 
the western part is very elevated, 
and contains a part of the Green 
Mountain range. The geological 
character of the county is primi- 
tive. Immense quantities of gran- 
ite are found in all parts of the 
county, both in quarries and bould- 
ers, most of which is of fine grain 
and very handsome. It also con- 
tains gneiss, hornblende, serpen- 
tine, primitive limestone, and mi- 
ca, talcose, chlorite, and argellite 
slates. 

The soil of the county is various ; 
from the rich and alluvial meadows 
on the Connecticut, to the cold and 
rugged lands on the sides of the 
mountains. The general character 
of the soil may be considereii as 
tolerable for grain and excellent 
for grazing. In 1837, there were 
7(>,582 sheep in the county. Some 
of the wool is of a fine quality, but 
generally it is about half blood. 

Windham county is finely wa- 
tered by Williams', Saxton's, and 
West rivers, with their branches, 
and by numerous other streams. 
These waters give the county a 
great hydraulic power, which is 
rapidly coming into use for man- 
ufacturing purposes. 



WindJiam, Vt. 

Windham CO. Branches of West, 
Williams' and Saxton's rivers give 
this town a good water power. The 
surface of the town is elevated; 
the soil, though strong, is better 
adapted for grazing than tillage. 
About 4,000 sheep are kept here. 

Windham was formerly a part of 
Londonderry. It is 30 miles N. 
E. from Bennington, and 25 S. W. 
from Windsor. Population, 1830, 
847. 

The actynolite embedded in talc, 
is found in this town, in slender 
four sided prisms of a leak green 
color. The crj"stals vary in size ; 
some are six inches in length and 
an inch in breadth. These crys- 
tals are abundant. Chlorite, gar- 
nets, serpentine, and steatite arc 
also found. 

Wiudliani County, Ct. 

Brooklyn is the county town. 
This county is uniformly hilly, 
yet no part of it is mountainous or 
very elevated. The prevailing soil 
is a primitive gravelly loam. The 
greatest portion of the county is 
stony and considerably rough, and 
the lands generally best adapted for 
grazing, and many sections afford 
some of the richest dairy farms in 
the state. The Quinnebaug and 
Shctucket, with their branches, 
intersect this county, and afford 
many valuable water privileges for 
mills and manufacturing purposes. 
The valley of the Quinnebaug riv- 
er comprises the best land in the 
county. The inhabitants of this 
coun(y are more extensively enga- 
ged in the manufacturing business 
than in any other county in the 
state. Cotton and woolen goods 
are the principal articles manufac- 
tured. 

Windham county originally be- 
longed to the counties of Hartford 
and New London. It was incorpo- 
rated as a county in May, 1726". 

This county is bounded N. by 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



Massachusetts; E. by Rhode Isl- 
and; S. by the county of New 
London, and W. by Tolland county. 
It contains an area of about 620 
square miles. Population, ISIO, 
28,611; 1820,31,634; 1830,27,077. 
Population to a square mile, 44. 
In 1837, there were 26,017 sheep 
in Windham county. 

'Windham, Ct. 

Windham co. The territory of 
this town, Mansfield and Canter- 
bury, was given by Joshua, a son of 
Uncas, the celebrated Mohegan 
sachem, to John Mason, James 
Fitch and others, in the year 1673. 

" Lieut. John Cates, a pious pu- 
ritan, who served in the wars in 
England, holding his commission 
under Cromwell, when Charles II. 
came to the throne, tied to this 
country for safety. He landed first 
in Virginia, where he procui-ed a 
negro servant to attend him. But 
when advertisemenls and pursuers 
were spread through this country, to 
apprehend the adherents of the Pro- 
tector, he left Virginia, came to New 
York, and froiii thence to Nor- 
wich. Still feeling that he should 
be securer in a more retired place, 
he came to this new plantation, dug 
the first cellar, and with his servant, 
raised in Windham the first Eng- 
lish habitation, in the spring of 
1689. The settlers, rapidly increas- 
ing, petitioned the general court, 
and obtained a grant of town privi- 
leges in May, 1692. It was made 
a county town in May, 1726." 

Windham is bounded N. by the 
towns of Hampton, Chaplin and 
Mansfield ; E. by Franklin and 
Lisbon, and W. by Lebanon and 
Columbia. It contains an area of 
about 8 by 6 miles. It has an 
uneven surface, with a tolerable 
soil. 

The following is a copy of the 
inscription on Lieutenant Cates' 
monument, in the village burying 
ground. 



In 

memory of 

Mr. John Cates. 

He was a gentleman born 

in England, 

and the first setteller in the 

Town of Windham. 

By his last 

Will and Testament, 

he gave a 

generous Legacy 

to ye first 

Church of Christ in 

W^indhani, 

in plate, and a generous 

Legacy in Land 

for ye support of ye Poor, 

and another 

Legacy for ye support 

of ye School 

in said town for ever. 

He died 

in Windham. 

Julvye Kith, .\. D. 

1697.' 

Since the removal of the county 
courts from this place to Brooklyn, 
and the establishment of the vil- 
lage of Willimantic, the ancient 
village of Windham has somewhat 
declined in its trade and population. 
It is pleasantly located, compactly 
and neatly built, and contains the 
charm of antiquity, in as great per- 
fection as can probably be found in 
New England. This village is 30 
miles E. from Hartford, 14 N. by 
W. from Norwich, 44 \V. S. W. 
from Providence, R. I., and 12 S. 
W. from Brooklyn. Population of 
the town, 1820,2,439; 1830,2,812. 

The Borough of Willimantic 
is 3 miles W. from Windham vil- 
lage. It is well situated on Willi- 
mantic river: it is built principally 
on one street, and contains some 
very handsome buildings. In this 
village are six cotton mills, con- 
taining 13,000 spindles ; a paper 
mill and a satinet factory. This 
flourishing village has grown up 
in the course of a few years. The 
population of this borough, in 1837, 
was 2,000. 

Willimmitic River rises in the 
county of Tolland, and with th« 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



Natchaug, forms the Shetuckct in 
Windham. 

" Much pleasantry," says Mr. 
Barber, " has been indulged at the 
expense of the inhabitants of Wind- 
ham, on account of a singular oc- 
currence which happened in the 
year 1758, by wiiicli the inhabit- 
ants were very much frightened. 
There is probably some exaggera- 
tion in the account, though the 
foundation of the story is believed 
to be a matter of fact." We copy 
it as an amusing relic. 

" On a dark, cloudy, dismal night 
in the month of July, A. D. 1758, 
the inhabitants of Windham, a small 
town in the eastern part of Con- 
necticut, had retired to rest, and 
for several hours, all were wrapped 
in profound repose — when sudden- 
ly, soon after midnight, the slum- 
bers of the peaceful inhabitants 
were disturbed by a most terrific 
noise in the sky right over their 
heads, which to many, seemed the 
yells and screeches of infuriated 
Indians, and others had no other 
way of accounting for the awful 
sounds, which still kept increasing, 
but by supposing the day of judg- 
ment had certainly come ; and to 
their terrified imaginaiions, the aw- 
ful uproar in the air seemed the 
immediate precursor of the clangor 
of the last trumpet. At intervals, 
many supposed they could distin- 
guish the calling out of paticu- 
lar names, as of Colonels Dyer 
and Elderkix, two eminent law- 
yers, and this increased the general 
terror. But soon there was a rush 
from every house, the tumult in 
the air still increasing^old and 
young, male and female, poured 
forth into the streets, " in puris 
naturalibus," entirely forgetful, in 
their hurry and consternation, of 
their nether habiliments, and with 
eyes upturned tried to pierce the 
almost palpable darkness. Some 
daring " spirits,'" concluding there 
was nothing supernatural in the 
hubbub and uproar over head, but 



rather, that they heard the yells 
of Indians commencing a midnight 
attack, loaded their guns and sal- 
lied forth to meet the invading 
foes. These valiant heroes, on 
ascending the hill that bounds the 
village on the east, perceived that 
the sounds came fiom that quarter, 
and not from the skies, as first be- 
lieved, but their courage would not 
permit them to proceed to the dar- 
ing extremity of advancing east- 
ward, until they had discovered the 
real cause of alarm and distress, 
which pervaded the whole village. 
Towards morning the sounds in the 
air seemed to die away. In the 
morning, the whole cause of alarm, 
which produced such distressing 
apprehensions among the good peo- 
ple of the town, was apparent to 
all who took the trouble to go to a 
certain mill pond, situated about 
three fourths of a mile eastward of 
the village. This pond, hereafter, 
in the annals of Fame, forever to 
be called the Frog Pond, in conse- 
quence of a severe drought, which 
had prevailed many weeks, had be- 
come nearly dry, and the Bull Frogs 
(by whicli it was densely popu- 
lated) at the mill fought a pitched 
battle on the sides of the ditch 
which ran through it, for the pos- 
session and enjoyment of the fluid 
which remained. Long and ob- 
stinately was the contest maintain- 
ed ; and many thousands of the 
combatants were found defunct, on 
both sides of the ditch, the next 
morning. It had been uncommon- 
ly still, for several hours before the 
battle commenced, but suddenly, 
as if by a preconcerted agreement, 
every frog on one side of the ditch, 
raised the war cry. Col. Dyer, Col. 
Dyer, and at the same instai>t, from 
the opposite side, resounded the 
adverse shout of Eldcrkin too. El- 
dcrkin too. Owing to some pecu- 
liar state of the atmosphere, the 
awful noises and cries appeared to 
the distressed Windhamites to be 
directly over their heads." 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



Windsor, Me. 

Kennebec co. Windsor was in- 
corporated by the name of Malta, 
in 1809. In 1821 it took the name 
of Gerry, and in 1822 it received 
its present name. It lies 12 miles 
from Augusta, by which it is bound- 
ed on the west. Population, 1837, 
1,660. Wheat crop, same year, 
5,947 bushels. 

This town is watered by the up- 
per branches of Sheepscot river, 
and by several handsome ponds. 
The surface of the town is diversi- 
fied : the soil is generally good, and 
ts agricultural condition improv- 
ng. There are some manufactures 
n the town. 

"Windsor, N. H. 

Hillsborough co. This town con- 
tains only 5,335 acres. It is diver- 
sified with hills: its soil is strong, 
good for grazing, and for bread stutTs, 
of which quantities sufficient for use 
at home, and some for the markets 
are raised. Black pond, near the 
centre, is said to be 160 rods long 
and 80 broad ; and one near the S. 
E. corner of the town, is about 
80 rods long and 40 wide. 

Windsor was formerly called 
CampbelV s Gore. It was incorpo- 
rated with town privileges in 1798. 
Population, 1830, 226. 

■Windsor County, Vt, 

Woodstock is the county town. 
This county is bounded N. by the 
county of Orange, E. by Connecti- 
cut river, S. by Windham county, 
and W. by Rutland and a part of 
Addison counties. It contains an 
area of about 900 square miles. 
Population, 1810, 34,877 ; 1820, 
38,233; 1830, 40,625: population 
to a square mile, 48. Incorporated 
in 1781. 

Windsor county is watered by 
White, Queechy, Black, West and 
Williams' rivers, and by other ex- 
cellent mill streams. The surface 
of the county is uneven, and in 



some parts mountainous, but gen- 
erally, it is not too elevated to ad- 
mit of cultivation. The soil pro- 
duces fine crops of grain, hay, veg- 
etables and fruits : the lands are 
peculiarly adapted for grazing, and 
about 200,000 sheep graze on its 
varied surface of hills and valleys. 

The beautiful Connecticut, which 
washes its whole eastern boundary, 
gives to this county large tracts of 
alluvial meadow land, and affords 
it a navigable channel to the sea 
board, for its sui'plus productions, 
and for its wants from abroad. 

The hydraulic power of Windsor 
county is vei'y large, and its local 
position is such as to induce men of 
enterprize and capital to embark in 
manufacturing operations, which 
are annually increasing with fair 
prospects of success. 

"W^indsor, "Vt. 

Windsor co. Windsor was first 
settled in 1764. Its surface is un- 
even, but there are but few parts 
of it unfit for cultivation. It con- 
tains large tracts of alluvial mead- 
ow, and the uplands are generally 
fertile. Mill brook waters the 
south part of the town, and fur- 
nishes it with excellent mill sites. 
The manufactures of the town are 
numerous and valuable. The ag- 
ricultural interests are also valu- 
able : 10,000 sheep are annually 
sheared in the town, and many 
neat cattle, horses and productions 
of the dairy are annually transpor- 
ted to its various markets. 

Tiiis town has become the cen- 
tre of an important commerce, both 
from the river and a fertile interior 
country. The favorable position 
of Windsor, as a place of trade, 
was early discovered, and it has 
been fortunate in possessing a suc- 
cession of men, who, by their en- 
terprise and wealth, have rendered 
it one of tlie most flourishing towns 
on Connecticut river. 

Windsor is situated on the west 
side of that delightful river, 55 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER, 



miles S. by E. from Montpelier, 
105 N. W. from Boston, 55 N. E. 
from Bennington, 95 S. S. W. from 
Burlington, and 127 miles above 
Hartford, Ct. Population, in 1820, 
2,956 ; 1830, 3,134. 

The village of Windsor is on el- 
evated ground, on the bank of the 
river: it is compactly, and some- 
what irregularly built, but very 
beautiful. There are but few vil- 
lages in our country which make a 
more delightful appearance. It 
contains a great number of hand- 
some dwelling houses and stores. 
Some of the private houses, church- 
es and other public buildings are in 
a style of superior elegance. This 
is the site of the Vermont State 
prison. The streets are wide and 
beautifully shaded. The scenery 
around Windsor is highly pictur- 
esque; from the high lands across 
the river, in Cornish, which is uni- 
ted to Windsor by a bridge, or on 
the Ascutney at the south part of 
the town, some of the best land- 
scapes in our country are presen- 
ted to view. 

Windsor, >Iass. 

Berkshire co. This town is situa- 
ted on the ridge of high lands which 
divides the waters of the Hous- 
atonick and Connecticut. Branch- 
es of the Housatonick and West- 
field rivers rise here. There are 
some good fish ponds in the town, 
but no important streams. The 
.surface of the town is much brok- 
en, but the soil is warm and finelj- 
adapted for grazing. Thn-e arc 
some excellent farmers in Windsor, 
and the productions of the dairy 
and of cattle are considerable. In 
1837) there were 7,157 sheep in 
the town, principally of the Saxo- 
ny and Merino breeds. Their woo! 
weighed 21,387 lbs., and sold for 
$10,521. This town is remarka- 
ble for the longevity of its inhab- 
itants ; which is doubtless owing to 
the purity of its air and water. 

Windsor contains beds of serpen- 



tine and soapstone. It is 117 miles 
W. by N. from Boston, 18 N. N.E. 
from Lenox, and 12 E. N. E. from 
Pittsfield. Incorporated in 1771. 
Population, 1837, 887. 

Windsor, Ct. 

Hartford co. This most ancient 
town in Connecticut is situated on 
the west .side of Connecticut river, 
6 miles N. from Hartford. Popu- 
lation, 1830, 3,220. The surface 
of the town is generally level, hav- 
ing some extensive plains. The 
soil is various, and free from stone : 
some of it is light, but a large pro- 
portion of it is fertile, containing 
extensive tracts of rich meadow. 

Farmington river passes through 
the town, and meeting the Con- 
necticut, gives the town a good hy- 
draulic power. 

There are in Windsor 4 paper 
mills, 2 manufactories of cotton 
batting, and factories of satinet, 
Kentucky jean, wire, &c. The 
business in these manufacturing 
establishments is very considerable. 
At a place called Pine Meadow, at 
the commencement of the locks on 
the Enfield canal, a variety of ship 
and other timber is prepared for 
market. Pine Meadow is opposite 
to Warehouse Point, in East Wind- 
sor. 

The centre village in Windsor is 
pleasantly extended on the banks of 
the Connecticut : it is well built, 
well shaded, and commands de- 
lightful prospects. 

Poquonnuck village is a few 
miles N. from the centre. It is a 
manufacturing village, delightfully 
situated at the head of navigation 
on Farmington river. 

" In 1631, Wahquimacut, an Indi- 
an sachem, living near Connecticut 
river, made a journey to Plymouth 
and Boston, and earnestly entreat- 
ed the governors of each of the 
colonies to send men to make set- 
tlements on the river. He repre- 
sented the fruitfulness of the coun- 
try, and promised the English, that 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



if they would make a settlement, he 
would annually supply them with 
corn, and give them eighty beaver 
skins. 

" The governor of Massachusetts, 
although lie treated the sachem 
and liis company with generosity, 
paid no attention to his proposals. 
Mr. Winslow, the governor of 
Plymouth, judged it worthy of at- 
tention. It seems that soon after 
that, he went into Connecticut, and 
discovered the river and the adja- 
cent parts. It appeared that the 
earnestness withwliich the sachem 
solicited the English to make set- 
tlements on the river, originated 
from the distressed state of the riv- 
er Indians. Pekoath, the great sa- 
chem of the Pequots, was at war 
with them and driving them from 
the country, and they imagined 
that if the English made settle- 
ments on the river, they would as- 
sist them in defending themselves 
against their too powerful enemies. 

"Governor Winslow of Plymouth, 
being pleased with the appearance 
of the country, having visited it, 
the Plymouth people made prepar- 
ations for erecting a trading house, 
and establishing a small company 
upon the river. In 1633, William 
Holmes, with his associates, having 
prepared the frame of a house, with 
boards and materials for covering it 
immediately, put them on board of 
a vessel and sailed for Connecticut. 
Holmes landed and erected his 
house a little below the mouth of 
Farmington river, in Windsor. The 
house was covered with the utmost 
dispatch, and fortified with palisa- 
does. The Plymouth people pur- 
chased of the Indians the land on 
which they erected their house. 
This, governor Wolcott says, was 
the first house erected in Connecti- 
cut. 

" In June, 1634, the Dutch sent 
Jacob Van Curter to purchase lands 
on the Connecticut. He made a 
purchase of about twenty acres at 

Hartford, of Nepuquash, a Pequot 



captain, on the 25th of October. 
Curter protested against Holmes, 
the builder of the Plymouth house. 
Some time afterwards, the Dutch 
governor. Van Twiller, of Fort 
Amsterdam, sent a reinforcement 
to Connecticut, in order to drive 
Holmes from the river. A party 
of seventy men under arms, with 
banners displayed, assaulted the 
Plymouth house, but they found it 
so well fortified, and the men who 
kept it so vigilant and determined, 
that it could not be taken withoiit 
bloodshed. They therefore came 
to a ])arley, and finally returned in 
peace. 

" A number of Mr. Wareham's 
people came, in the summer of 1635, 
to Connecticut, and made prepara- 
tions to bring their families and 
make a permanent settlement. Af- 
ter having made such preparations 
as they judged necessary, they be- 
gan to remove their families and 
property. On the loth of October, 
about sixty men, women and chil- 
dren, with their hoi-ses, cattle and 
swine, commenced their journey 
fi'om Massachusetts, through the 
wilderness, to Connecticut river. 
After a tedious and difficultjourney, 
through swamps and rivers, over 
mountains and rough grounds, which 
were passed with great difficulty 
and fatigue, they arrived safely at 
the places of their respective des- 
tination. They were so long on 
their journey, and so much time 
and pains were spent in passing the 
river, and in getting over their 
cattle, that after all their exertions, 
winter came upon them before they 
were prepared. 

" About the beginning of Decem- 
ber, provisions generally failed in 
the settlements on the river, and 
famine and death looked the in- 
habitants in the face. In their dis- 
tress, some of them in this severe 
season attempted to go through the 
wilderness to the nearest settlement 
in Massachusetts. A company of 
thirteen, who made the attempt. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



lost one of their number, who, in 
passing a river, fell through the 
ice and was drowned. The other 
twelve were ten days on tlieir jour- 
ney, and had tlioy not received as- 
sistance from the Indians, would 
all have perished. Such w-as the 
general distress by the 3d and 4th 
of December, tliat a considerable 
part of the settlers were obliged to 
leave their habitations. Seventy 
persons, men, women and children, 
were obliged, in the severity of 
winter, to go down to the mouth of 
the river to meet their provisions, as 
the only expedient to preserve their 
lives. Not meeting the vessels 
which they expected, they all went 
on board of the Rebecca, a vessel 
of about 60 tons. This vessel, two 
days before, was frozen in, twenty 
miles up the river ; but by the fall- 
ing of a small rain, and the influ- 
citce of the tide, the ice became so 
broken, that she made a shift to get 
out. She however lan upon tlie 
bar, and the people were forced to 
unlade her to get her off. She was 
reladcd, and in five days reached 
Boston. Had it not been for these 
providential circumstances, the peo- 
ple must have perished from fam- 
ine. 

" The people who remained and 
kept their stations on the river, suf- 
fered in an extreme degree. After 
all the help they were able to ob- 
tain, by hunting and from the In- 
dians, they were obliged to subsist 
on acorns, malt and grains. The 
cattle, which could not be got over 
the river before winter, lived by 
browsing in the woods and mead- 
ows. They wintered as well, or 
better, than tho>;e that were brought 
over, and for which all the provis- 
ion was made, and care taken, of 
which the settlers were capable. 
A great number of the cattle, how- 
ever, perished. The Dorcbosler 
or Windsor people lost, in this spe- 
cies of property, about two hun- 
dred pounds sterling. Upon the 
breaking up of winter, and during 

42 



the summer following, the settlers 
came in large companies, and the 
settlements at Windsor, Hartford 
and W'etherslield were firmly es- 
tablished." 

The first of the four following 
epitaphs is supposed to be the most 
ancient monumental inscription in 
the state. 

Heere 

lyeth Ephraim Hvit, ' 

sometimes 

Teacher to ye chvrch of 

Windsor, who 

died September 4-th, 

1G44. 

W'tio when bpe lived uee drew ovr vitall breath, 
\\'ho when hw d ed hi^ dyin; was ovr death, 
Who was ye slay of sale, ye chviches staff, 
Alas, the times i'orbiJ an ej'ilaph. 

Here 

vnder lyeth the body of 

Henry Wolcot, 

sometimes 

a Maiestratc of this Ivrisdiction, 

who died ye 30th day 

of May, 

Anno Salvtis 1055, 

yEtatis 77. 

Here lyeth 

the body of the 

Hon. Ko^xer Wolcott, Esq. 

of VVindsor, who 

for several 

years was (iovernor of the 

Colony of 

Connecticut, died 

May 17th, 

Anno Salutis 1767, 

.^tatis 89. 

Earth's highest station ends in " Here he lies ;" 
And " dust to dust" coixludes her noblest song. 

To the memory of Oliver Ellsworth, 
LL. D., an assistant in tlie Council, and 
a judge of tlie Superior Court of the 
State of (.'onnecticiit. A member of the 
('onveiition which formed, and of the 
State Convention of Connecticut, 
which adopted the Constitution of the 
IJ. States, — Senator and C'hief Justice 
of the U. States ; one of the F^nvoys 
extraordinary and Minister Plenipo- 
tentiary, who made the convention of 
1800 between the U. Slates and the 
I'rench Republic. Amiable and exem- 
plary in all the relations of the domes- 
tic, social and christian character. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



Pre-eminently useful in all the offices 
he sustained, whose great talents un- 
der the guidance of inflexible integrity, 
consummate wisdom, and enlightened 
zeal, placed him among the first of the 
illustrious statesmen who achieved and 
established the independence of the 
American Republic. Born at Windsor 
April 2yth, 174.5, and died Nov. 2G, 
1807. 

The ancientboundaries of Wind- 
"sor extended 46 miles in circuni- 
ference, lying on both sides of the 
river. Within these limits there 
were ten distinct Indian tribes or 
sovereignties. In the year 1670 
there was a large Indian fortress 
at Windsor, and nineteen natives to 
one Englishman : but another race 
has arisen : — 

"The chiefs of other days are de- 
parted. 
They have gone without their fame. 
The people are like the waves of the 

ocean : 
Like the leaves of woody Morven, 
They pass away in the rustling blast. 
And other leaves lift their green heads 
on high." 

■Winhall, Vt. 

Bennington co. Winhall is 
bounded on the W. by Manches- 
ter, and is 33 miles S. W. from 
Windsor. This town was charter- 
ed in 1761, and its settlement com- 
menced during the revolutionary 
war. Population, 1830, 571. The 
surface is rough, and the soil not 
very productive. 

Winhall River rises in this town 
and affords it a good water power. 
It passes tiirough a part of Jamaica, 
and joins West river in Londonder- 
ry- 

Wimiepisiogce Lake, IV. H. 

This lake possesses singular 
charms. However romantic and 
beautiful Lake George, the charm- 
er of all travelers, appears in its 
elevation, the purity of its waters, 
its depth, its rapid outlet, its 365 
islands which bespangle its bosom, 
its mountain scenery, its fish, its 



mineralogy ; still in all, but its his- 
toric fame, it has a rival at the east, 
in the Winnepisiogee of New 
Hampshire. 

There are more than forty differ- 
ent ways of spelling the name of 
this lake. It was formerly written 
as though it had six syllables; but 
the pronunciation which has gener- 
ally obtained with those best ac- 
quainted with the region of the 
lake, and the Indian pronunciation 
of the name, was IViii-ne-pe- 
sock-e. The following authorities 
show this : 
Wiiinapusseakit : Sherman and 

Ince's Report, 1652. 
TVinnipesocket : Bartlett's Narra- 
tive, 1708. 
Winnipissocay: Penhallow's Wars, 

1726. 
Winaposawgue : Canterbury char- 
ter, 1727. 
Winnepissocay : Petition, 1733. 
Winnipeshoky : Petition, 1744. 
Winnepesocktt : Stevens' Journal, 

174G. 
Winepesocky : Surveyor Clement, 

1746. 
TVinipiseoce : Theodore Atkinson, 

1746. 
Winncpesacket : Governor Shir- 
ley, 1747. , ,' 
JViiiipesockee : Bryant's Journal," 

1747. 
Winnapessocket : Map of New 

Hampshire, 1750. 
Winipisoky : Hon. George Boyd, 

1785. 
Winnepisiogee : The present mode 
of spelling;, pronounced Wini- 
pisoky, or Win-ne-pe-sock-e. 
This lake is situated in the coun- 
ty of Strafford. Its form is very 
irregular. At the west end it is 
divided into three large bays; on 
the north is a fourth; and at the 
east end there are three others. 
Its general course is from N. W. 
to S. E. ; its length is about 22 
miles, and it varies in width from 
one to ten miles. This lake is en- 
vironed by the pleasant towns of 
Moultonborough, Tuftonborough, 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



WolfeboroughjCentre Harbor, Mer- 
edith, Gilford, Gilmanton, and Al- 
ton. 

The waters of the Winnepisiogec 
are remarkably pure, and its depth 
in some places is said to be unfath- 
omable. Its sources are principally 
from springs within its bosom. Its 
outlet is the rapid river of its own 
name. Its height above the level 
of the sea is 472 feet. It is stored 
with a great variety of excellent 
lish : in the summer season, steam 
boats, sloops and smaller vessels 
ply on its waters, and in the win- 
ter season it presents an icy ex- 
pansion of great usefulness and 
beauty. 

Like Casco bay and Lake George, 
this lake is said to contain 3C5 
islands. Without supposing the 
days of the year to have been con- 
sulted on the subject, the number 
is very great ; several of which 
comprise farms of from 200 to 500 
acres. 

The beauties of this lake were 
tlius described, by the celebrated 
Dr. Dwight, many years ago. 

" The prospect of this lake, and 
its enviions, is enchanting; and its 
beauties are seen with great advan- 
tage from a delightful elevation a 
little distance from the road towards 
Plymouth. The day was remarka- 
bly line. Not a breath disturbed 
the leaves, or ruffled the surface 
of the waters. The sky was se- 
rene and beautiful. The sun shone 
with a soft and elegant lustre ; 
.such as seems peculiar to that de- 
lightful weather, which from the 
20th of September to the 20th of 
October, so often elicits from the 
mouths of mankind the epithet of 
charming. Mildness tempered the 
heat; and serenity hushed the 
world into universal quiet. The 
"Winnepisiogec was an immense 
field of glass ; silvered by the lus- 
tre which floated on its surface. 
Its borders, now in full view, now 
dimly retiring from the eye, were 
formed by those flowing lines, 



those masterly sweeps of nature, 
from which art lias clerived all its 
apprehensions of ease and grace ; 
alternated at the same time by the 
intrusion of points, by turns roug.h 
and bold, or marked with the high- 
est elegance of figure. In the 
centre a noble channel spread 
twenty-two miles before the eye, 
uninterrupted even by a bush or a 
rock. On i)oth sides of this avenue 
a train of islands arranged them- 
selves, as if to adorn it with the 
finish, which could be given only 
by their glowing verdure, and 
graceful forms. 

" Nor is this lake less distinguish- 
ed by its suite of hills, and moun- 
tains. On the northwest ascends a 
remarkably beautiful eminence, 
called the Red Mountain ; limited 
every where by circular lines, and 
in the proper sense elegant in its 
figure beyond any other mountain, 
among the multitude, which I have 
examined. On the south ascends 
Mount Major; a ridge, of a bolder 
aspect, and loftier height. At a 
still greater distance in the south- 
east rises another mountain, more 
obscure and misty ; presenting its 
loftiest summit, of an exactly semi- 
circular form, directly at the foot 
of the channel above mentioned, 
and terminating the watery vista 
between the islands, by which it is 
bordered, in a magnificent manner. 
On the northeast the great Ossipee 
raises its long chain of summits 
with a bold sublimity, and proudly 
looks down on all the surrounding 
region. 

" As we did not cross the Winne- 
pisiogec, I am unable to determine 
in what manner an excursion on its 
waters might be compared with 
that which I made on Lake George. 
That the internal and successive 
beauties of the Winnepisiogec 
strongly resemble, and nearly ap- 
proach those of Lake George, I can- 
not entertain a doubt. That they 
exceed them seems scarcely credi- 
ble. But the prospect from the hill 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



at the head of Centre Harbor is 
much superior to that from Foi-t 
George ; a fact of which hardly 
any thing could have convinced 
me, except the testimony of my 
own eyes. The Winnepisiogee 
presents a field of at least twice 
the extent. The islands in view 
are more numerous ; of finer forms, 
and more happily arranged. The 
shores are not inferior. The ex- 
pansion is far more magnificent; 
and the grandeur of the mountains, 
particularly of the Great Ossipee, 
can scarcely be rivalled. It can- 
not be remarked without some sui'- 
prise, that Lake George is annually 
visited by people from the coast of 
New England ; and that the Win- 
nepisiogee, notwithstanding all its 
accumulation of splendor and ele- 
gance, is almost as much unknown 
to the inhabitants of this country, 
as if it lay on the eastern side of 
the Caspian." 

■Winnepisiogee River, N. K., 

Is the great outlet to the lake of 
that name; and iss'ies from the 
southwest arm of the lake. It 
thence passes through two bays 
between Meredith and Gilford, en- 
tering the Great Bay in the north- 
east part of Sanbointon. From 
thence it passes through two other 
bays,foriningthe boundary between 
Sanbornton on the northwest, and 
Gilmanton and Northfield on the 
.southeast; and unites with the 
Pemigewasset a short distance be- 
low Webster's falls. The streaui 
is rapid in its course, and has a fall 
of 232 feet from the lake to its 
junction with the other branch of 
tlie Merrimack : this name being 
given to the coni^uent stream. — 
There are numerous bridges over 
the Winnepisiogee ; which also 
furnishes many excellent privileges 
for factories or other machinery. 
See Merrimack River. 

Winnictit River, N. K., 

Or the Winniconett , a tributary 



of the Piscataqua, rises in a swamp 
between Hampton and N. Hamp- 
ton, and passes north into the Great 
Bay at Greenland. 

"Winooski City, Vt. 

See Burlington. 

'Winslo'w, Me. 

Kennebec co. This is a beauti- 
ful town, opposite to Waterville : it 
is watered by Kennebec and Sebas- 
ticook rivers, by several ponds, and 
by a tine stream, a branch of the 
Sebasticook. Its water power is 
constant and abundant. The soil 
of the town is fertile ; the surface 
is diversified, and rendered pro- 
ductive by industrious and indepen- 
dent farmers. Winslow is 18 miles 
N. by E. from Augusta. It was 
incorporated in 1771. Population, 
in 1837, 1,557. Wheat crop, same 
year, 6,910 bushels. 

Wintlirop, Me. 

Kennebec CO. This town is fine- 
ly situated, having a fertile soil, an 
undulating surface, and comprising 
six beautiful sheets of w. ter ; the 
Cobhessecontee and some of its trib- 
utaries. The largestof these lakes 
or ponds is ten miles in length, and 
fi'om one to three miles in width. 
These waters give to Winthrop a 
valuable v/ater power, and which is 
partly improved by a large cotton 
mill, a fiour mill, carding and cloth 
dressing establishments, saw mills, 
&c. There are also in the town 
extensive manufactures of leather, 
boots and shoes. 

The principal village is delight- 
fully located, in tlie form of a cres- 
cent, at the union of the North 
lake, extending into Readfield, 
about six miles, with the South lake 
extending into Monmouth, about 
the same distance. This village is 
10 miles W. from Augusta. The 
East village likewise is pleasantly 
situated at the northern extremity 
of the lai-ge lake, and is about 6 
miles from Augusta. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



These villages are neatly built, 
and are flourishing places of busi- 
ness. The lakes add much to the 
beauty of the town. The descent 
of their banks is gently sloping, 
with a dispersion of acclivities, 
which serve to heighten the beauty 
of the scenery : their waters are 
deep, clear, and are stocked with 
an abundance of trout, pickerel, 
perch, and other fish. 

There is in this town an elevated 
tract of land containing an inex- 
haastible quantity of iron ore, or the 
material from which copperas is 
manufactured. Large quantities 
of copperas were made here during 
the late war, and it is thought that 
thi? ore might be advantageously 
used in times of peace. 

Winthrop is an excellent farming 
(own, and the moral character of 
its inhabitants is said to be uncom- 
monly good. It was incorporated 
in 1771. Population, 1837, 2,00.3. 
Wheat crop, same year, .'5,194 bush- 
els. 

■\Viscasset, Me. 

Lincoln co. Shire town. Wis- 
casset is a port of entry, situated 
on the west side of Sheepscot riv- 
er, 20 miles from the sea; 24 miles 
S. S. E. from Augusta, 42 N. E. 
from Portland, and 10 N. E. from 
Bath. It was incorporated in 1760. 
Population, 1S37, 2,24(3. 

Wiscassct contains a noble har- 
bor for vessels of the largest class : 
it is easy of access and seldom ob- 
structed by ice. For many years 
previous to the commencement of 
the commercial rcstiictions,in 1S07, 
Wiscasset was one of the most ac- 
tive and flourishing sea ports in 
Maine. During the disastrous pe- 
riod which followed, Wiscasset suf- 
fered severely, in common with all 
towns largely engaged in naviga- 
tion. 

Since the termination of the war 
the town has been slowly but safely 
progressing in w'ealth and ])rosperi- 
ty. In addition to its commerce in 

42* 



lumber and ship building, this 
place is largely and profitably en- 
gaged in the fishery, for which pur- 
suit it is admirably located. The 
tonnage of this district in 1837, was 
11,()(>2 tons. 

The village of Wiscasset is de- 
lightfully situated on rising ground, 
in view of the harbor. The court 
house, churches, stores, and dwell- 
ing houses are built with taste, and 
many of them with elegance. A 
more beautiful village is rarely 
seen. 

AVobui-ii, Mass. 

Middlesex co. This town is sit- 
uated 10 miles N. W. by N. from 
Boston, 12 E. by N. from Concord, 
and 14 W. from Salem. It was 
incorporated in 1642, and first set- 
tled in 1G40. Population, 1830, 
1,977; 1S37, 2,643. 

Tiiere are some elevations in Wo- 
burn which give the surface a vari- 
egated and pleasing aspect. There 
is considerable wood land in the 
town, and some pine plain land; 
but the soil is generally strong, 
fertile and well improved. It con- 
tains some beautiful farms. 

The manufactures of the town 
consist of leather, boots, shoes, In- 
dia rubber, chairs, door sashes, 
blinds, tin, cabinet and wooden 
wares : total value, the year end- 
ing April, 1, 1837, .$421,042. 

Horn Pond in this town is a de- 
lightful sheet of water, surrounded 
by evergeens, and is so remarkable 
for its rural beauties as to attract 
many visitors from a distance. This 
pond serves as a passage for the 
Middlesex canal; it also furnishes 
the town with a water power of 
some value. The waters of this 
and several smaller ponds in Wo- 
burn fall into Mystic river, through 
Mystic pond in Medford. 

W'olcott, Vt. 

Lamoille co. Wolcott is well 
watered by Lamoille river, and by 
Green and Wild Branch, itsbranch» 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER, 



es. " Fish Pond," in Wolcott, is a 
pretty piece of water, and bears 
an appropriate name. There is 
some good grain land in the town, 
but most of the lands are tit only 
for pasturage. There arc some 
mills in the town, and about 1,500 
sheep. 

Wolcott was chartered in 1781. 
It is 22 miles N. from JVIontpelier, 
and 7 S. E. from Hyde Park. Pop- 
ulation, 18.30, 492. 

Wolcott, Ct. 

New Haven co. This is a small 
town, watered by a branch of Nau- 
gatuck river ; 22 miles N. from 
New Haven. Population, 1830, 
843. The town was incorporated 
in 1796. The territory was former- 
ly a parish in the towns of Far- 
niington and Watcrbury ; and from 
that circumstance was called " Far- 
mingbury." The lands in Wol- 
cott are elevated, rough, stony, and 
hard to cultivate. One of the 
highest hills in this part of the 
state lies in this town : it commands 
a very extended prospect of I^ong 
Island Sound and the adjacent 
country. 

Wolcottville, Ct. 

See Torrington. 

Wolfcboroiigli, IS. H. 

Strafford co. This town is 45 
miles N. N. W. from Portsmouth, 
and 45 N. E. from Concord. It is 
bounded S. E. by Brooklield and 
New Durham, S. W. by Winne- 
pisiogee lake and Alton, N. E. by 
Ossipee, and N. W. by Tuftonbo- 
rough. 

The soil is rocky, but produc- 
tive, and the face of tlie country 
level. The wood is principally oak 
and other hard timber. The only 
river is Smith's, so called from a 
hunter of that name : it issues from 
a large pond of the same name in 
the S. E. part of the town, and 
discharges its waters into the lake. 
There are four other ponds of con- 



siderable magnitude, called Crook- 
ed, Rust's, Barton's, and Sargent's 
ponds. There is a bridge over 
Smith's river about 60 feet long, 
near its entrance into the lake. 
Near this bridge is a pleasant vil- 
lage. 

The charter of W^olfeborough 
was granted in 1770, to Gov. John 
Wentworth, Mark H. Wentworth 
and others. Gov. Wentworth, dis- 
tinguished for his enterprise and 
taste, and a fondness for agricultural 
improvements, erected a splendid 
mansion about 5 miles east of the 
bridge, and made it his summer 
residence. 

At the foot of a hill, near one of 
the ponds in this town, is a miner- 
al spring, the waters of which are 
of a quality similar to those of Sara- 
toga, but not so strongly impregna- 
ted. Population, 1830, 1,928. 

■Wonasqiiatucket River, R. I. 

Pi-ovidence co. This river rises 
in Smithfield, and after passing 
nearly through that town, it runs 
between North Providence and 
Johnston, and forms the head of 
Providence river. This stream is 
celebrated for its hydraulic power 
and the numerous manufacturing 
establishments erected on its banks. 

Woodljridge, Ct. 

New Haven co. The territory 
of this town belonged to the towns 
of New Haven and Milford, and 
was called tlie parish of " Amity," 
from 1739, until its incorporation in 
1784. West river runs on the west 
side of West Rock, a range of moun- 
tains on the eastern border of the 
town. The surface of the town is 
hilly, but the soil is excellent for 
grazing, and much butter and 
cheese is annually taken to the 
New Haven market, from which it 
lies 6 miles S. W, Population, in 
1830, 844. 

The regicides, Goffe and Whal- 
ley, had a number of places of con- 
cealment in the limits of Wood- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



bridge, the most noted of which is 
Hatchet Harbor ov the Lodge, near 
a beautiful spring, in a valley, about 
7 miles from New Haven. 

Woodbury, Vt. 

Washington co. Woodbury is 
watered by branches of Onion and 
l.amoilie rivers, and contains a 
greater number of ponds than any 
other town in the state. These 
ponds afford a great variety of fish. 
Woodbury lies 15 miles N. by E. 
from Montpelier. Population, 1800, 
23; 1820, 432; 1830, 824. 

■\Voodbury, Ct. 

Litchfield co. The settlement 
of this town commenced in the 
year 1672 : in 1674, it was incorpo- 
rated. 

This is a good grazing township ; 
the soil is generally warm and fer- 
tile. Between four and five thou- 
sand sheep are annually sheared in 
Woodbury. 

The village is situated in a pleas- 
ant valley, and watered by a num- 
ber of small streams, which form 
the Pomperaug. It is surrounded 
by high hills on every side, forming 
a kind of amphitheatre, which ren- 
ders it strikingly romantic. The 
village contains some handsome 
buildings, three satinet, one tin and 
two nail factories. This place lies 
25 miles N. W. from New Haven, 
36 W. S. W. from Hartford, and 15 
S. from Litchfield. Population, in 
1830, 2,049. 

Bethel Rock, near the village of 
Woodbury, is about forty feet in 
lieight, and projects over 3 or 4 
li^et, forming a kind of shelter from 
the' wind and rain. There is a fine 
grov'e near it. This spot is fre- 
quent 'y visited : it excites solemn 
and pk^asing impressions. 

Woodford, Vt. 

Bennini^'ton co. This mountain 
town is 7"riii'es E. from Benning- 
ton, on the r oa<l to Brattleborough. 
Population, lS30, 395. 



Woodford contains several large 
ponds, from which issue branches 
of Woloomsack and Deerfield riv- 
ers. There is a good deal of wild 
scenery on the road in crossing the 
mountains from l?ennington through 
Woodford and Searsburgh : the 
gurgling of the streams down the 
mountain sides, allay, in a great 
degree, the fatigue of the jour- 
ney. The greater part of this 
township is too elevated and broken 
for cultivation. It is a good loca- 
tion for the sportsman ; for fish and 
fowl are abundant, and the deer, 
the bear, and other wild animals, 
roam with almost undisputed sway. 

"Wood's Hole, Jtlass. 

See Falmouth. 

\V"ood River, R. I. 

See Hophintmi. 

Woodstock, Me. 

Oxford CO. A part of this town- 
ship is mountainous ; but it contains 
large tracts of undulating, fertile 
land. It is bespangled with beau- 
tiful ponds, forming mill streams, 
which pass to Little Androscoggin 
river. 

Woodstock was incorporated in 
1815. It lies 42 miles W. from 
Augusta, and 10 N. W. from Paris. 
Population, in 1837, C99. Wheat 
crop, same year, 2,669 bushels. 

"Woodstock, Vt. 

Shire town, Windsor county. 
This town was first settled about 
the year 1768. It is well wa- 
tered by Queechy i-iver and its 
branches, which propel a woolen 
mill, a scythe and axe factory, an 
establishment for the manufacture 
of woolen machinery, and several 
smaller manufacturing woi'ks. 

The soil of the town is generally 
very fertile, with a pleasant surface 
of hills and vales. The agricultu- 
ral productions are large and valua- 
ble : they consist of beef, pork, but- 
ter, cheese, apples, cider and wool. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



of which 9,000 fleeces were shorn 
in 1837. 

" Woodstock Green," so called, is 
a beautiful village. It is the seat 
of a flourishing country trade, and 
contains many veryliandsome build- 
ings. The court house, planned, 
and built under the supervision of 
Ammi B. Young, Esq., a native ar- 
chitect of great promise, is one of 
the most chaste and classical struc- 
tures in New England. The south 
village is neat and pleasant: it is 
about 5 miles from the "Green." 

Woodstock lies 46 miles S. from 
Montpelier, and UN. W. from 
Windsor. Population, 1830, 3,044. 

Woodstock, Ct. 

Windham co. Woodstock is bound- 
ed N. by the Massachusetts line, 
E. by Thompson, W. by Union and 
Ashford, and S. by Pomfret and 
Ashford. It is S miles long, and 
upwards of 7 in breadth. The sur- 
face of the town is characteristical- 
ly hilly, but not mountainous or 
broken, and compiises very little 
waste land, most or all of the emi- 
nences being capable of cultivation. 
The prevailing soil is a deep grav- 
elly loam, which is sti'ong and fer- 
tile. It is best adapted to grazing, 
but generally admits of tillage ; 
and considerable quantities of grain 
are annually raised, consisting prin- 
cipally of rye and corn ; and it may 
be considered one of the richest ag- 
ricultural towns in this part of the 
state. There are 4 woolen and 4 
cotton factories in the limits of the 
town. Tliere are also about 900 
persons engaged in the shoe mak- 
ing business, principally in the 
western part of the town. The 
town is divided into three parts, 
viz. the old society of Woodstock, 
West Woodstock or New Roxbury, 
and Muddy Brook society or North 
Woodstock. 

The villages of Thompson, North 
Killingly, and Dudley in Massa- 
chusetts, on corresponding eleva- 



tions, are in fair view, from the vil- 
lage in Old Woodstock, which is 41 
miles E. N. E. from Hartford, 32 N. 
from Norwich, 32 W. N. W. from 
Providence, and 12 N. by W. from 
Brooklyn. First settled, in 1686. 
Population, 1830, 2,915. The vil- 
lage of Muddy Brook, or North 
Woodstock, is about three miles 
distant, situated in a beautiful val- 
ley, through which Muddy Brook, 
a fine mill stream, passes. The 
village is in two parts, in each of 
which is a Congregational church, 
upwards of one mile distant from 
each other. The houses in this 
village are more clustered than in 
any other part of the town, and 
viewed front the surrounding hills 
present an uncommonly beautiful 
appearance. The west part is call- 
ed "Village corner." 

General William Eatoiv, a 
consul to Tunis, from 1797 to 1803, 
and the hero of Derne, in 1804, was 
born in this town in 1764. He died 
at Brimfield, Mass., in 1811. 

" Gen. Eaton was a very extra- 
ordinary character ; he possessed 
much original genius, was bold in 
his conceptions, ardent in his pas- 
sions, determined in his resolutions, 
and indefatigably persevering in 
his conduct. He possessed con- 
siderable literary acquirements, and 
the style of his writings was char- 
acteristic of his mind ; bold, ener- 
getic and decisive. His courage 
was equalled only by his resolu- 
tion, and the boldness of his enter- 
prises, by his ability and persever- 
ance to execute them." 

Woolwicli, Me. 

Lincoln co. Woolwich lies a. lit- 
tle above Bath, on the east side of 
Kennebec river, 32 miles f\>. from 
Augusta, and 7 W. from W'.scasset. 
It was incorporated in 175 9. Pop- 
ulation, 1837, 1,433. Woolwich 
has several ponds and srr.all streams, 
and its navigable pr'^vileges are 
valuable. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEEH. 



Woousocket Falls, R. I. 

See Smithjield. 

W^orcester, Vt. 

Washington co. This town is 
situated 10 miles N. from Montpc- 
lier and 30 E. by S t'roiu Burling- 
ton. First settled, 1797. Popula- 
tion, 1820, 44, and in 1830, 432. A 
branch of Onion river gives the 
town a good water power, and 
which is used for various purposes. 
Much of this township is moun- 
tainous ; but there is some good land 
along the stream, and the high- 
lands aflbrd pasturage for cattle. 

'W'orcestcr County, Mass. 

IVoi'cester is the county town. 
This county was incorporated in 
1731. Population, in 1S20, 73,635 ; 
1830, 84,365; 1837, 96,551. It 
contains an area of 1,500 square 
miles. 

This county crosses the state from 
New Hampshire on the north, to 
Connecticut and Rhode Island on 
the south. It is bounded W. by 
the counties of Franklin, Hamp- 
shire, and Hampden, and E. by 
Norfolk and Middlesex counties. 
This is the largest county in the 
state. Its territory is larger than 
the state of Rhode Island, and its 
population is greater than that of 
the state of Delaware. Its sur- 
face is rather undulating than liilly. 
The soil is generally strons, and 
produces all kinds of grain, grasses, 
fruits, 8ic. common to its climate. 
Its water power is abundant in al- 
most every town, and perhaps in 
no section of New England are the 
interests of agriculture, commerce 
and manufactures more completely 
blended; nor can there be found 
better resources for their united 
support. Its principal rivers are 
the Blackstone, Quinabaus, Nash- 
ua, Ware, Millei-s, and Mill. There 
are in this county 54 towns, and 64 
inhabitants to a square mile. 

In 1837, the value of the manu- 



factures in the county of Worces- 
ter was $11,407,790: the number 
of sheep in the county was 24,901 ; 
value of the wool, $37,267. 

AVorcestcr, Itlass. 

County town, Worcester co. This 
town was incorporated in 1684, but 
in consequcnco of Indian hostili- 
ties, the tirsttown meeting was not 
held until 1722. This part of the 
country was called by ttio Indians, 
Quiiisigamoiid, and Tntmuck and 
Bogachoak hills were Indian resi- 
dences. 

The central situation of tlie 
town, both in regard to the county 
and state, the fertility of its soil 
and that of the surrounding coun- 
try, the salubrity of its climate, 
and the industry, intelligence and 
wealth of its people, have long 
since entitled it to the honor of be- 
ing called the chief town in " the 
Heart of the Commonwealth." The 
town is situated in a valley, and 
sui-rounded by hills pf gentle ac- 
clivity. It is well built and beau- 
tifully shaded, and travellers from 
every direction, are delighted with 
its neatness and beauty. 

A number of the streams which 
form the head waters of the Black- 
stone meet in this town, and fur- 
nish a considerable water power. 

Worcester is 40 miles W. from 
Boston, 51 E. from Northampton, 
38 S. W. from Lowell, and 41 N. N. 
W. from Providence, R. I. Popu- 
lation, 1820, 2,962; 1830, 4,172; 
1835, 6,624; 1S37, 7,117. 

There are in Worcester 8 woolen, 
3 cotton and 2 paper mills; an air 
and cupola furnace, 9 woolen ma- 
chinery IV.ctories, 3 tin factories, 
and manufactures of coaches, chais- 
es, boots, shoes, hats, cutlery, chairs, 
cabinet ware, ploughs, straw bon- 
nets, palm-leaf hats, wire, lead 
pipe, paper machinery, &c. : total 
value, the year ending April 1, 
1837, $1,042,369. 

Worcester is the centre of a large 
inland trade. The Blackstone ca- 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



nal, from Providence, R. I. ,45 miles 
in length, terminates here ; and 
here is a permanent depot on the 
great western rail road fx'om Boston 
to the Hudson river. 

This is the seat of many religious, 
literary, and philanthropic societies. 

The State Lunatic Asylum, es- 
tablished in this town in 1S32, is an 
institution honorable to the nature 
of man. It is a beautiful building, 
delightfully located, and admirably 
conducted. Its plan and arrange- 
ments are so excellent as to render 
it a model for similar institutions 
in other states. 

This institution is a receptacle 
for all persons arraigned as crimi- 
nals, but found to have committed 
the offences in a state of insanity ; 
of paupers, and of those who are 
so furiously mad as to render their 
continuance at large dangerous to 
the community. 

Although the worst cases of in- 
sanity are found here, yet experi- 
ence has proved that there ai-e very 
few cases of derangement which 
may not be ameliorated by the 
kindly influence of humane treat- 
ment. The average recoveries, to 
the present time, is about 56 pr. ct. 

The American Antiquarian So- 
ciety, was founded in 1812. By 
the liberality of the late Isaiah 
Thomas, LL. D., one of its first 
benefactors, a spacious hall was 
erected in 1820, for the reception 
of its large and valuable cabinet of 
antic|uities, and its library of about 
12,000 volumes of American pub- 
lications, particularly of all works 
pertaining to American history, and 
literature generally. 

Mr. Thomas was the father of 
New England printers. He pub- 
lished the first newspaper in this 
town, in 1775, and, a few years af- 
ter, the first bible in America. He 
was a gentleman of great patri- 
otism and liberality. He was born 
in Boston, January 19th, 1749, and 
died in this town, April 4, 1831. 



^"ortliington, Mass. 

Hampshire co. This town has a 
good soil : it is pleasantly situated 
on elevated ground : it has some 
mineral treasures, and is washed by 
a branch of Westfield river. It is 
103 miles W. from Boston, 55 E. 
from Albany, N. Y., and 17 W. N. 
W. from Northampton. Incorpora- 
ted, 17G3. Population, 1837, 1,142. 

The manufactures of Worthing- 
ton consist of leather, boots, shoes, 
cui-tains, children's wagons, and 
hats: annual value, about $50,000. 

In 1837, there were sheared in 
this town 9,050 merino sheep : the 
wool weighed 27,000 pounds, and 
sold for $16,875. 

"Wrentliam, Mass. 

Norfolk CO. There is a large 
pond near the centre of this town, 
from which issue several streams 
which flow to the Charles, Nepon- 
set and Taunton. In this town are 
one woolen and four cotton mills, 
an axe manufactory ; boat build- 
ing to a considerable extent ; and 
manufactures of boots, shoes, hats, 
hoops and straw bonnets. The to- 
tal value of the manufactures of 
this town, for the year ending April 
1, 1837, was $204,806; of which 
$77,815 was for straw bonnets. 

Wrentham is a pleasant town, 
with a tolerable soil and diversified 
surface. It was taken from Ded- 
ham in 1673. Population, 1837, 
2,817. 

A family of Indians once resi- 
ded in a cavern in this town, called 
" Wampum's Rock," which place 
is rather a curiosity. The Indian 
name of the town was Walloma- 
liogge. 

Wrentham is 27 miles S. by W. 
from Boston, and 15 S. by W. from 
Dedham. This town is bounded S. 
E. by Mansfield, and within the re- 
gion of a vast bed of anthracite coal. 

Tantic River, Ot. 

New London co. This stream 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



rises by several branches in the 
northwest part of the county, and 
passing in a soutlieast course meets 
the united waters of tlic Quiniie- 
baug and Shetucket at Norwich, 
where the waters of the three riv- 
ers fall with great rapidity, form- 
ing the Thames, and producing a 
valuable hydraulic power. See 
JVoricich. 

It is said that a party of Mohe- 
gan Indians plunged themselves 
down the Yantic falls, when pur- 
sued by their foes, the Narragan- 
sets. 

YarmoiitU, Mass. 

Barnstable co. Yarmouth e.\- 
tends across Cape Cod, and has a 
good harbor on each side. There 
are several ponds in the town, from 
which issue a small stream, called 
Bass river, and fi-om which a small 
water power is derived. The soil 
of the cape here becomes thin, 
sandy and unproductive. The peo- 
ple of this town arc principally de- 
voted to the fishing business, coast- 
ing trade, and the manufacture of 
salt. There arc, however, some 
manufactures of vessels, cordage, 
leather, cabinet and tin wares, 
chairs, boots and shoes. Some 
sheep are kept, but the agricultur- 
al productions are small. A large 
number of vessels are engaged in 
the coasting trade, and in 1337, 13 
vessels, of about 50 tons each, were 
employed in the cod and mackerel 
fishery : the product, that year, 
was $26,622. 

During that year there were in 
operation in this town, 52 establish- 
ments for the manufacture of com- 
mon salt, and t for the manufac- 
ture of Epsom s;ilts. The quaniity 
of common salt made was 365,200 
bushels. The value of common 
salt w;is,«;109,5G0; of Epsom salts, 
$1,350. ' Hands employed, 55. 

In 1837, there were in the state 
of Massachusetts 743 establishments 
for the manufacture of salt : 758,- 
392 bushels were made, valued at 



$246,05!), employing 708 hands. 
Yarmouth is bounded W. by 
Barnstable, and lies 72 miles S. E. 
from Boston. Incorporated, 1639. 
Population, in 1330, 2,251; 1837, 
2,451. 

Voi-k County, Me. 

Alfred is the county town. This 
county is bounded N. by Oxford 
county, N. E. by the county of 
Cumberland, E. by the ocean, S. 
by Portsmouth harbor, and W. by 
Stratford county, N. H. It com- 
prises an area of about 818 square 
miles. Its population in 1810, was 
41,S77; 1820,46.283; 1830,51,722; 
and in 1S37, 53,781. Population to 
a square mile, 66. The surface 
of the county is rough and uneven, 
but not mountainous ; its highest 
elevation is Mount Agamenticus. 
Its soil is hard and rocky, particu- 
larly on the sea coast, which ex- 
tends about 35 miles. There is, 
however, much good land within 
the limits of York county : it pro- 
duces large quantities of English 
and salt hay, potatoes and other 
vegetables, corn, and some wheat ; 
but the hitter grain is not so abun- 
dant in this as in the more eastern 
counties. The quantity of wheat 
grown in this county in 1837, was 
but 17,795 bushels. There is much 
good grazing land in the county, 
and in 1837, there were 60,392 
sheep within its limits. 

The sea coast is lined with fini; 
harbors tor the fishery, and many 
vessels are built of native timbei'. 
The county contains many capes, 
points and necks of lanil, on which 
are well conducted light bouses. 
Tlie tonnage of the three districts 
witliin the county, Saco, Kenne 
bunk and York, in 1337, was 11,505 
tons. York county contains many 
excellent mill streams; and the 
value of its hydraulic powei-is be- 
ginning to be seen and felt. 

This ancient county was the 
lodgement of some of the first set- 
tlers of New Enailand. See Saco. 



NEW ENGLAND GAZETTEER. 



York, Me. 

York CO. This is an ancient mar- 
itime town, on the coast, between 
Kittery and Wells. It is bounded 
W. by South Berwick. This was 
for many years the shire town, and 
the place of holding the courts and 
keeping the records for the whole 
province, until the counties of 
Cumberland and Lincoln were set 
off in 1760. The town was incor- 
porated in 1653. 

York has a court house and gaol, 
but all the county courts have been, 
within a few years past, removed to 
Alfred. The principal harboris York 
river, about 6 miles from Ports- 
mouth, N. H., with water sufficient 
for vessels from 200 to 300 tons bur- 
then. The entrance, however, is 
difficult, being narrow and crooked. 
The other harbor is cape Neddock, 
about 4 miles N. E. of the former, 
navigable about a mile from the 
sea at full tides only ; it having a 
sand bar at its mouth, sufficient to 
prevent vessels of any considera- 
ble burthen fi-om passing at low 
water. 

Cape Neddock and Bald Head are 
the head lands. The former is a 
little to the south of cape Neddock 
river. At the end of this cape is a 
small hillock called the Nubble, on 
which Congress has recently au- 
thorised the erection of a Light 
liouse. Boon Island lies about 9 



miles southeast of this point. Bald 
Head makes the S. W. part of Wells 

bay. ^ 

The settlement of this place be- 
gan about the year 1630 : it was 
then called Agamenticus, from a 
mountain of that name in the north 
part of the town. This is of consid- 
erable elevation, and a noted land 
mark. From its summit, there is 
an extensive prospect bounded by 
the great ranges of the N. H. 
mountains on the N. and N. W., 
and the Atlantic on the coast from 
Cape Ann to Cape Elizabeth. 

This town was nearly destroyed 
by the Indians and French in 1692, 
who, coming on snow shoes, sur- 
prised the unvvarj^ inhabitants at 
early jnorning. This calamity was 
so desolating, that the few remain- 
ing inhabitants had thoughts of 
abandoning the place altogether ; 
but a number remained, though 
sufTering under severe privations 
from the destruction of almost every 
thing that could give them shelter 
or sustenance. 

The population of the town in 
1830, was 3,485 ; but has been re- 
duced since that time, by the an- 
nexation of a portion of its northern 
angle to South Berwick. Its popu- 
lation in 1837, was 3,001. 

York is situated 99 miles S. W. 
from Augusta, 45 S. W. by S. from 
Portland", 22 S. S. E. from Alfred and 
9 N. by E. from Portsmouth, N. H. 



